Old Money: Currency forms of sub-Saharan Africa

February 24 – April 6, 2007

The following are representative examples of the types of currencies featured in “Old Money.” In many cases, there are several available examples for each type represented here. Please contact the gallery for more information.

Dimensions are approximate. For space considerations, the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) has been abbreviated to “DRC.”

(Click on photo to see a larger image of the object)

coil currency 1. Coil Currency
Ngelima or Mongo peoples, DRC
Iron
Height circa 40 inches
$850 – $950
spear currency 2. Spear currency, “doa”
Topoke peoples, DRC
Iron
Length circa 56 inches
$750
 
Flanged arch currency 3. Flanged arch currency
Nkutshu peoples, DRC
Copper alloy
Height circa 15 inches
$900
Chain of linked rings 4. Chain of linked rings
Upper Congo River region, DRC
Copper alloy
Length circa 30 inches
$350
 
King or queen manilla 5. King or queen manilla (“onganda”)
Jonga or Ngbaka peoples, DRC
Copper alloy
Length 10 – 12 inches
$850 – $900
Spear tip currency 6. Spear tip currency, “m'bili ngbaka” or “bangala”
Ngbaka peoples, Stanley Falls Region, DRC
Height 19 inches
$1750
 
Hoe currency 7. Hoe currency
Kwadja peoples, Cameroon
Iron
Height 25.5 inches
$1750
Hoe currency 8. Hoe currency
Chamba peoples, Nigeria
Iron
Height 16 – 18 inches
$1,200 – $1,800
 
Hoe currency 9. Hoe currency
Mumuye people, DRC
Iron
Height 13.5 inches
$850
Hoe currency 10. Hoe currency, “akika”
Idoma peoples, Nigeria
Iron
Height circa 30 inches
$600

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