Nigerian Bronze Crescent Currency

Before coinage, a ring. Heavy, cast, and honest about its worth.

Across West Africa, heavy cast rings and bracelets of copper alloy were widely used as a measure of wealth and a medium of exchange, valued for the metal and for the work of casting. This one, from Nigeria, was made in the 17th or 18th century, bronze and copper. It is a simple, substantial crescent about eight inches across, thick and rounded, tapering slightly toward two flat cut terminals.

The patina is deep, dark brown, softly mottled and lightly pitted, with a few small marks of age. Money, once, that you could hold in one hand and feel.