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Manilla Nigeria 07.02.417

Copper was the "red gold" of Africa and had been both mined and traded there since ancient times. When early European traders came to West Africa in the 15th century they found that Copper braclets and leg bands were in wide spread use as money. Picking up on this tradition several European nations including the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British, produced Manillas for the West African trade.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries Manillas co-existed as legal tender alongside British and French West African currencies. In order to encourage the use of coined money Nigeria prohibited the import of Manillas in 1902. The British undertook a major recall campaign in 1948 which resulted in the exchange of 2,460 tons of Manillas for British West African currency. Manillas ceased to be a legal tender in British West Africa on April 1, 1949. Manillas continue to be used in West Africa for ceremonial purposes such as marriages and burials.

  • Ref.:07.02.417
  • Size:Diameter: 55 - 60 mm
  • Weight:70 gr

Category

  • South and Central Nigeria 07.02
  • AFRICAN TRIBAL CURRENCIES 07

Origin

  • West and Central Africa
  • NIGERIA
  • Igbo

Material

  • MetalCopper & copper aloy

Quality

  • Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)

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