Manilla
Nigeria
Copper alloy
18.8 cm. (7 3/8 in.)
Lent by Gallery Affrica
Manillas circulated in West Africa from the end of the 15th century to 1948. They were originally made of copper or brass and later composed of a mixture of other metals. The small manillas with flared ends were manufactured in Birmingham, England, for export to Africa. Larger examples, called king, queen or prince manillas, were status symbols and more a store of value than currency. The queen manilla shown here was worth about 75 small ones.