Kissi Iron Penny Currency

Eleven inches, and a slight sag in the middle, like a clothesline taking the weight.

This Kissi penny was forged in Sierra Leone in the 20th century. Such twisted iron rods were a widespread currency in the region shared by Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, gathered in bundles for trade and for payments such as bridewealth. The shaft is long and thin, twisted evenly. One end flares into a flat, upright crossbar, cleanly formed, while the other ends in a small, rounded, roughly textured paddle.

The iron is dark brown with soft highlights along the twist.

Lay it flat. It makes a horizontal.