Ancient and World Coins, Numismatic Books

Congo, Bell Money, iron, painted black and white, handle pierced at top, 34.5 x 11.3cm (Quiggin pp.74-5, cf. fig. 18). Some rust, very fine, rare £90-120

Provenance: A. Briers Macdonald Collection, DNW Auction 72, 13 December 2006, lot 688.

Not fitted with clappers, bells could be used as currency (as were other implements such as hoes) because of their intrinsic value. They also had a practical use, having the resonance of cow bells when struck