Posted 3 years ago
billretire…
(591 items)
This is one of my Finds at the Flea Market on Sunday February 27, 2022, I thought it was some sort of Animal Nose Ring, and I knew that it was old but had no idea that it was a West African Manilla (Currency) Slave Bracelet, and maybe 500 years old! Here's some Information that I found on the Web:
These currencies were used throughout Nigeria and neighboring countries for more than 300 years. They are probably a middle period British Manilla called "Onoudu" . Many of these currencies were widely used from the sixteenth century, when the Portuguese cast huge quantities and used them to trade in West Africa.
These British manilla currency range over various centuries from the 1600's to the early 1800's. They are a concrete and factual reminder of the Middle Passage and the role of metals fashioned after tribal wealth as currency, involved in the early slave trade.
Sizes and ages vary from approx. 2. 3/8" by 2. 1/4", to 2.1/2" plus by 2" 5/8 inches. Weights from 1.8 ounces to 3.1 ounces with some bracelets due to metal contents
Also, a link to Wikipedia:
Manilla (money) - Wikipedia
I'll also post this in Comments!
Thank You for looking, all Comments on this Post are welcome! Bill :^)
That's VERY COOL, Bill!! I wouldn't have had any idea either, beyond maybe 'old bracelet', if its really even big enough for that -- in the pics with the quarter, it looks like it'd only fit on a tiny wrist??!!
Thank You Tim, I don't know if they were worn as a Bracelet, but if You think about the size of some people 400+ years ago, it might have been worn on a wrist, but as a form of Currency, for Slave trade, many of these would have been carried. I think this one is Bronze, the color, hardness, and being non-magnetic, is why I think that! :^D
Thanks for the love that you gave, Kevin, dav2no1, and Tim, it's appreciated! Bill :^)
Hey Brian, thanks for taking a look, and the love for what You saw! Bill :^)
Alright! bb2 was here! Thanks for the love! Bill :^)
Here's the Link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilla_(money)
Click on Money! :^D
Thank You for looking! Bill :^)
Thank You for stopping by, and leaving a love, my #1 Mary, Kevin, and Pascale, it's appreciated! Bill :^)
very cool find bill...lets go see if we can cash it in at the bank...smiling
Hey skyguy, thanks for your comment, and Welcome to CW! :^D Looking forward to seeing some Finds of Yours!
Thank you for the love that You gave too skyguy, Bill :^)
Hi Jenni, it's always nice to have You stop by for a look, and give a love for what You saw, Thank You! Bill :^)
Thanks aura, for the love you gave! :^D I brought this back to the Flea Market this Morning, to educate friends, and other treasure hunters, about this piece of history! Bill :^)