Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Tickets and Passes, Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes

Fiji, Whale tooth, 150mm (cf. Quiggin, pl.4); boar’s tooth, 110mm; African hippopotamus tooth, 120mm; together with a collection of shells, some used as currency, including cowries from India and West Africa, five in a box labelled ‘Shell Money - Siam’ [Lot]. An interesting selection, varied state (£30-50)

Quiggin states “When a youth seeks a wife the request must be accompanied by the presentation of a whale’s tooth, and its acceptance constitutes a binding contract of marriage”