Manilla
Manilla
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- Manillas were regularly used in exchange in West Africa, especially along the coast of modern-day Nigeria, from at least the fifteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Cast from various metals, including copper, brass, and iron, they are crescent-shaped and resemble an open bracelet. They were produced by Portuguese, British, Dutch, and French merchants specifically for trade in West Africa. Manillas were used in everyday purchases at markets. They were also a central currency of the transatlantic slave trade.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Manilla
- alternative currency
- date made
- n.d.
- place used
- Nigeria
- associated place
- Nigeria
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- cast (overall production method/technique)
- brown/gold (overall color)
- Measurements
- overall: 6.02 cm x 5.72 cm x 1.93 cm; 2 3/8 in x 2 1/4 in x 3/4 in
- ID Number
- NU.NU61175
- catalog number
- NU61175
- accession number
- 228761
- Credit Line
- Randolph V. Zander
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
- West African Currency
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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