Photographs © Tim Hamill
YORUBA, "MONEY TREE" CURRENCY 7, 16", $200, Nigeria
These metal forms ( see #9 ) were made to hold a set number of coins, usually from British West Africa, to make an object of tradeable value.This form was recognized and used as currency and could be broken up for smaller transactions. The back has the same number of coins as the front on each "tree".
There are 74 coins on this piece. They are tenth-penny coins from British West Africa and date from the 30's & 40's up to1950. There are a few Federation of Nigeria coins from 1959 rarely mixed in.
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