Many west African communities produced metal currency in the shapes of farming tools for specific kinds of exchange, such as ceremonial payments for marriages (bridewealth). They were made from a range of metals including iron, copper, brass, and bronze. While they were not designed for use in agricultural activities, they could be melted down and transformed into functional farming tools, weapons, or ornaments. Currently not on view
- Collection
- Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection West African Currency
- Date published
- before 1900
- Dates
- before 1900
- Format
- Bronze (overall material) Cast (overall production method/technique) Brown (overall color) Black (overall color)
- Place Discussed
- Nigeria
- Provider
- Smithsonian Institution
- Published in
- Nigeria
- Rights
- Benjamin Stack, Harvey G. Stack, and Norman Stack
- Source
- Digital Public Library of America https://dp.la/item/c38a48279346713d5cebb72ecfdab1a9