Iron Currency

This is a matched pair of forged iron currencies from the Mumuye Tribe of Nigeria.

Forged iron currency object or staff in the form of a stylized fancy crested bird, from the Kirdi people, Nigeria.

A two-spiral piece of currency that comes from the Mafa and Matakam groups who live in Northern Cameroon. Reference can be found in "The Perfect Form" by Roberto Ballarini, 2009.

A fine incised iron flat spiral currency from the Mumuye in Nigeria.

Spiral iron currencies of various shapes and forms were traded throughout West and Central Africa throughout the nineteenth century, and up until the first quarter of the twentieth c...

A dramatic line-engraved sheet iron currency piece from the former French colonial territory of Upper Volta (now Burkina Fasso), mounted on a custom ebonized wood stand.

This is a large West African iron currency item in the form of two entwined snakes, a very rare form of this type of currency.

African antique currency from the Congo, most likely Iron. Beatufil decorative piece, includes a stand.

An excellent and unusual early 20th century tribal currency item that has 16 individual gongs on a large iron hoop.

Each dihunga liganda is comprised of two hand-forged, hand-wrought, and hand-worked thin melded iron pieces that in whole form a sword-like spear with winged elements that smoothly t...

With rustic character, this iron currency looks especially striking as a piece of wall-mounted sculpture.

Offered by Zena Kruzick Early 20th century tribal iron currency from the Idoma of Nigeria, Africa Cross River region Iron currency made in the shape of a hoe, like these examples, w...

Late 19th-early 20th century iron currency, kurr, Sara-Madjingaye peoples, Southern Chad.

Late 19th-early 20th century iron currency, kurr, Sara-Madjingaye peoples, Southern Chad.

A fantastic 19th century Afo culture wrought iron spade currency piece mounted on custom steel stand.

Mambila, Mfumte, Kwanja. Hoe/Iron Currency. Nigeria, Cameroon. This piece of currency , made of forged iron with brush-made lines on it's surface, presents a slight vertical veining ...

This is a pair of African iron currency blade or sword currency from the Nkutshu, Topoke & Songo Meno peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire) on custom metal stands.

This three-pronged iron currency piece is shaped in reference to hand-held throwing knifes, such as the kpinga or the mambele.

While shield and spear were central to African combat, these iron sword blades were most likely made to serve as pieces of trade currency.

19th c., Niger Region, currencies of forged iron, each with long stem incised with geometric decoration, terminating in a horseshoe-shaped blade.

This is a collection of three African bell currencies of hand-forged iron on custom black iron stands.

This fascinating piece is an example of shovel currency, formerly used among the peoples of northern Nigeria as a form of monetary exchange.

Like many pieces of traditional African metalwork, this gong served multiple purposes in the tribe. It was a ceremonial instrument, a status symbol, and a piece of currency. Using a ...

For hundreds of years before colonization, African tribes elevated everyday objects to create multi-use currency. The exotic bird's head design of this iron staff currency calls to m...

A pair of large specimen of African iron money currency from the early 20th century on custom stands.

Flaring at the top to suggest a hoe, these elongated sculptural objects were used among the Idoma People of Nigeria as a form of currency. Forged from iron and hammered with horizont...

While shield and spear were central to African combat, this example by the Kuba People of Central Africa was most likely made to serve as a piece of trade currency. Many pre-coloniza...

African Currency Sword mounted on a contemporary iron Stand.

An African Mbole tribe anklet copper currency on stand from Congo. Made to be worn around the ankles! The Mbole People lived in the north Congo, along the Lomani River, a tributa...

African currency Sword used in the Congo for important transactions such as dowry or land purchases. The patina and sculptural shape give the feel of contemporary art mixed with 19th...

These serpent shaped currencies are made of iron, have a lovely patina and are each presented upon a custom black iron stand.

African currency sword that was used in the Congo for important transactions such as dowry or land purchases. The patina and sculptural shape give the feel of contemporary art mixed ...

An African Mbole Tribe anklet copper currency on stand from Congo. Made to be worn around the ankles! The Mbole people lived in the north Congo, along the Lomani River, a tributa...

These pre colonial African copper alloy currencies have been nicely displayed upon a custom iron Stand (which is included).

Single Yua Wenga shell currency from Papua New Guinea. Yua (Money) Wenga (Clam Rings) are clamshell rings cut with bamboo from giant clamshells. These rings are still being cut and u...

Early 20th century tribal iron ritual snake object, Lobi or Gan, Burkina Faso This especially expressive ritual snake object was likely placed on a home altar, or possibly used in...

Used to negotiate major life transactions such as weddings, iron currency pieces such as this were also potent symbols of wealth and power.

Early 20th century tribal iron currency from the Idoma of Nigeria, Cross River region, Africa Iron currency made in the shape of a hoe, like these examples, were used in trade for b...

Early to mid-20th century tribal iron currency blade, Mboum people, Northern Cameroon.

The Chamba blacksmiths are very skilled craftsmen who manufactured a large quantity of iron handicrafts. They are famous for their artistic currency used by many groups living in eas...

In many pre-colonial regions of Africa, iron was so valuable that tools often doubled as currencies for rare but significant transactions.

A gorgeous and sculptural currency or ceremonial knife from the Poto Tribe, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century.

Rare late 19th century Tribal forged iron Hook Currency, Cameroon/ NE Nigeria, upper Banue River area A graceful forged iron currency piece shaped like a question mark or a fiddle h...

Formed in the shape of an anchor, this graceful iron currency piece was forged by the Kwele people of Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo to trade and store wealth.

A wonderfully mounted group of three tribal triple headed snake form iron currency pieces, Lobi People, Burkina Faso, late 20th century, circa 1970s.

This three-pronged iron currency piece is shaped in reference to hand-held throwing knifes, such as the kpinga or the mambele.

Like many pieces of traditional African metalwork, this metal gong served multiple purposes within the Yoruba communities of northern Nigeria. It was a ceremonial instrument, a poten...

This pre-colonial African copper alloy currency is nicely displayed upon a custom iron stand.

Early 20th Century Tribal Iron Gong Currency, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Africa This very graceful anthropomorphic gong currency has two different pitches when struck.  

Two cast copper currency bracelets Azande, Democratic Republic of Congo Measures: One solid 3.5" diameter ; and one hollow 4.5" diameter ; each on a custom iron stand.

Large, early 20th century forged iron hoe currency from the Afo or Angas tribes, mounted on blacksmith made custom stands.

Early to mid-20th century tribal iron anchor currency, Gabon/ D.R. Congo From the Kwele people of Gabon/Democratic Republic of Congo, these anchor-like currencies, called zong, were...

Like many pieces of traditional African metalwork, this West African spiral sculpture served as a stable form of currency. Used to negotiate major life transactions such as weddings,...

Leather Shield, South Sudan A small leather shield typical of the region known as an upwal, concave hide is attached to a reed spine with plaiting to form a strong grip. Mounted on ...

A pair of African Mumuye rain wands on custom stands. This pair of vintage tribal rain wands originate from the Mumuye peoples of West Africa, Nigeria. These forged-iron wands were u...

A set of three African currency bracelets on custom black steel stands. Bracelets alone measure 3.5"W x .5"D x 3.5"H approximately.

This exceptional Kota reliquary comes from the Mahogwe tribe, which lives along the Ogooué River in Gabon. The Mahogwe are part of the Kota ethnic group located in the northeastern r...

The Beaded Royal Headdress is made of a palm tree fibre structure, enfolded with burlap cloth embroided with European glass beads that cover the entire object with geometric symbolic...

19th century hammer currency, Ensuba, Bafia People, Cameroon Sometimes referred to as potato masher currency, but known to the Bafia people as ensuba, this rare intact example wei...

This is a pair of vintage African spear currencies from the Mbole peoples, Democratic Republic of Congo which are nicely presented upon custom metal stands. These African currencies ...

Throwing Knife (Ngalio) Sara People, Chad, Africa Mid-20th century Material: Iron Height on custom display stand: 28 in. / 71 cm Known as "ngalio", this type of throwing knife was o...