Kissi Iron Penny Currency

Eighteen inches long and, once, worth rather more than it looks.

The Kissi and their neighbors used these iron rods as a standard of value, especially in bridewealth payments. This one, forged in Sierra Leone in the 20th century, has a flat, rounded crossbar at one end. Near it the shaft is broad and roughly hammered; it then grows slender and finely twisted on its way to a small curled tip. Warm rust-orange throughout, with the uneven texture of age.

The slight wave in it gives it an easy, drawn quality. Like a line someone did not lift the pen from.