Ancient, British and World Coins, British Trade Tokens, Tickets and Passes, 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)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Macdonald Collection of Primitive Currency.

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Plate II. 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