Featured Currency?

I believe this maybe an old currency ring from Africa. Any thoughts appreciated. About 3" across and 5/8" high.

 

I think you are right, a currency bracelet from West Africa, also known as manilla.
But I am no expert, so I'll tag @2manybooks for you.

 

thank you for your reply Any Jewelry!

 

In Africa copper, brass, and iron have all been used as wealth in a variety of formats. One of the more standardized forms, made in Europe and England to be used as currency in trade with West Africa, was a type referred to as the "manilla". But these, too, were not entirely consistent in composition or shape. Most appear to have been open rings, some big enough to be worn as bracelets. Others were too small to be worn, and were transported tied together in bundles. Most were made of copper, brass, or some other related alloy; fewer were made of iron.

The most common forms were open rings with flaring ends (the ends sometimes described as "lozenge shaped") -

This diagram illustrates the shapes and cross sections of types of manilla still in use in Nigeria in the mid 20th century -

(reproduced in Red Gold of Africa, by Eugenia Herbert)

Your ring appears to be made of some type of bar stock (square/rectangular in cross section). I have seen one somewhat similar bracelet listed on ebay described as a "stacking manilla", but have not found that term used in any other reference.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363162697810

Can you tell if it is iron (magnetic)? I cannot tell from your photos if could be worn as a bracelet or not. Is the gap open enough, or is it large or flexible enough to fit on a wrist?

My feeling is that, like most jewelry, it would hold some value and might be used in trade. But I am not sure it is a standardized enough form that it would be considered "currency".

My personal opinion is that the term manilla, which is of uncertain Spanish/Portuguese origin (but at least a European language), should be reserved for those rings made in Europe for the West African trade, to distinguish them from African-made mediums of exchange.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilla_(money)

 

Thank you for info above. Found this info on https://numismatics.org/collection/1906.204.1. Not magnetic, and too small for an adult to wear. A child or small hand might be able to get their hand through the opening.

 

Above screen shot of the link is to small to see that it has a similar etched design and same tight endings as mine.

 

A good find. Similar, but also different. The Numismatics example is shaped from a round rod (or cast in that form), and has a finer finish. To my eye, the inscribed designs do not look similar. I assume the Numismatics attribution of Benin is where it was collected. They do not specify if it was made there or elsewhere. It is interesting that the weight is almost exactly 280gm. Such precise numbers often indicate an amount of standardization.

Do you have a method of weighing yours?

Yours appears to be square, rather than round in cross section. This would indicate a different metal stock, and perhaps a different method of fabrication, and thus possibly a different source.

I have been trying to find a close comparison, without luck so far. Here are 4 pages of results from the British Museum, using different combinations of search terms (but all from Africa) -

https://www.britishmuseum.org/colle...Africa&view=grid&sort=object_name__asc&page=1

https://www.britishmuseum.org/colle...Africa&view=grid&sort=object_name__asc&page=1

https://www.britishmuseum.org/colle...ew=grid&sort=object_name__asc&page=2#page-top

https://www.britishmuseum.org/colle...ew=grid&sort=object_name__asc&page=2#page-top

Much depends on how you want to define the term "currency". In the strict sense it involves some measure of standardization, such as by composition, size, or weight - a way of objectively comparing value. This is opposed to a simple "medium of exchange", which can facilitate negotiated bartering.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_of_exchange

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency

 

It weighs approx 143 grams on a kitchen digital scale. My jeweler scale needs a battery. I see what you are saying!