Primitive Money

v. 1.06 12/20/1998

AFRICA

Africa has been the source of more types of primitive moneys than any other region of the world. Prior to the 19th century, true coins were used mainly in parts of north and northeast Africa, but the concept of money was well established throughout much of the continent. The use of primitive money was especially prolific in the area around the Congo basin and the Gold Coast regions.

Midaco-chain

Congo (Zaire).
Midaco-chain in bronze consisting of 20 rings/loops. End of 1800´s. Length: circa 55 cm. Weight 500 g.
Quiggin (reference books on primitive money) page 76, Opitz page 52. Bid at the moment 400 Swedish crowns.
Image and information from Antikören Mynthandel, Gothenburg, Sweden

"Slave" trade bracelets

On the west coast of Africa, from the Congo, north to Senegal, bronze bracelets (properly called Manillas) were worn both for personal adornment and for use as money. Their use dates back to at least the late 16th century and possibly much earlier. It is often difficult to date Manillas, but it is reasonable to assume that most of the specimens we come across today were made in the late 18th and 19th centuries, although some date to the early part of this century. A few areas were still using them as late as 1948, and we have heard rumours that they are occasionally still used in a few remote villages in Upper Volta.

They became known as "slave trade money" after the Europeans started using them to acquire slaves for the slave trade into the Americas (as well as England prior to 1807). The smaller types of the "Popo Manilla" were actually manufactured at Birmingham in England, specifically for the slave trade, and were too small to be worn.

The Birmingham types were taken to west Africa on the slave ships where they were used to buy slaves. The slaves were then taken to the Americas and traded for cotton, tobacco and other trade goods (or just sold). The cotton and tobacco were then taken to England and sold with a very tiny portion of the proceeds being used to purchase more popo manilla's for the next trip around (this is known as the slave trade triangle).

Manilla
  • AFRICAN MADE POPO MANILLA. These are simple bracelets, with flared ends and no decoration. Used over a wide area, these cannot be assigned to any specific region or tribe, and were probably made throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The specimen we currently have appears to be of African manufacture, 82 mm wide (a wearable size) and were the prototypes for the smaller British-made Popo Manillas.
  • BRITISH MADE POPO MANILLA. In the late 18th century the British manufactured small versions (50 to 70 mm) of the African made Popo Manillas for use in the slave trade. They were manufactured in Birmingham (England) and were taken to west Africa on the slave ships where they were used to buy slaves. The slaves were then taken to the Americas and traded for cotton, tobacco and other trade goods (or just sold). The cotton and tobacco were then taken to England and sold with a very tiny portion of the proceeds being used to purchase more popo manilla's for the next trip around (this is known as the slave trade triangle).
    Image and information from Calgary Coin & Antique Gallery

    • CELTIC COINAGE

    Wheel-money

    Gallien (Northen and west Switzerland)
    0,96 g, SLM (a reference to some catalogue) 984, 1+ (a strong VF)
    Image and information from Antikören Mynthandel, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Ring money

    This piece, weighing 2.90g and probably containing about 60-70% gold, was found recently in Essex.
    It's unlikely that these objects ever functioned as money, but their real use is very uncertain. They are usually late Bronze Age in date, and found most frequently in Ireland; they also occur in England and Wales, mostly in Wessex but occasionally further east, like this example, and also on the continent.
    They may have been associated with persons of high status, though it is unclear whether they were worn as adornment; finds in graves are very rare.
    Image and information from THE CELTIC COIN INDEX

    ASIA

    Sword coin with a sharp tip

    		 Sword coin with a sharp tip.
    Spring and autumn period (770-476.BC).
    Warring states period (475-221.BC).
    Casting era : The middle years of spring and autumn period - the early years of warring states period.
    Yan kingdom.
    O : traces of inscription.
    R : No inscription.
    14.2g.
    162.0mm by 21.0mm.
    F.
    JPY 7.000
    Comes with plastic case.
    Image and information from Mr Shuichi Yamashita, Chiba, JAPAN

    Coin cloth : Huo bu

    Coin cloth : Huo bu.
    Xin Dynasty (AD 8-23).
    Casting era : AD 14 - the year of fall of Xin Dynasty (AD23).
    Emperor : Wang Mang.
    O : Chinese character inscription : Huo bu.
    >From observer's point of view, right : Huo (= coin), left : bu (= cloth). Center line and hemming line.
    R : Center line and hemming line.
    17.2g.
    57.0mm by 23.0mm.
    F.
    JPY 2.500
    Image and information from Mr Shuichi Yamashita, Chiba, JAPAN

    Cutting sword five hundred : Qi dao wu bai

    Cutting sword five hundred : Qi dao wu bai.
    Western Han Dynasty (206.BC-AD 8).
    Xin Dynasty (AD 8-23).
    Casting era : AD 7-9.
    Emperor : Wang Mang.
    O : Chinese character inscription : Qi dao wu bai.
    >From observer's point of view.
    In the up circle, right : Qi (= cut or cutting wood), left : dao (= sword).
    In the down square, up : wu (= five), down : bai (= hundred).
    Therefor this inscription means that this cutting sword coin deserves five hundred pieces of usual coins. A usual coin in this period is Wu zhu (five zhu) coin. Hemming line.
    R : Hemming line.
    16.2g.
    73.3mm by 28.0mm.
    VF.
    JPY 25.000
    Image and information from Mr Shuichi Yamashita, Chiba, JAPAN
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