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ANT NOSE MONEY, China
Stone remake of a cowrie shell, date:800 BC |
15.00 EUR |
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CHINA Ant nose money
The Zhou Dynasty ( 1125 - 255 BC ) paved the way for the first unification of China in 221 BC. During the Zhou dynasty, China evolved from a feudal state with power divided among vassals to one with a strong centralized government. The practice of casting weapons, farm implements and coins out of iron and copper had begun during this time, permitting the Zhou to grow considerably.
This was a time of great prosperity that would not be seen again in China for many centuries.
Included in this was the development of money, which changed from it's old form to one where coins acquired inscriptions of various types, mostly referring to weights, values and location of origin.
In this case there is an ancient 'cowrie' shaped piece, but with the addition of the wording, know as i'pi'chien or ant nose money.
Each high quality piece dates from the 3rd Century before Christ and bears a hole for easy handling in quantity.
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22.50 EUR |
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KATANGA CROSS
KATANGA (SHABA) CROSS
Shaba is the historical region in southeastern Congo, bordering Lake Tanganyika
to the east, Zambia to the south, and Angola to the west. It is coextensive with
modern Katanga province. The region's name, Shaba, during the Zairean period,
comes from the Swahili word for 'copper', and the region's mines yield most of
Congo's copper, cobalt, uranium, zinc, cadmium, silver, germanium, coal, gold,
iron, manganese, and tin. The local people were utilizing those minerals long
before the arrival of Europeans in the 19th Century.
As such, a curious form of money, made of the native copper ( molded in the
dry sand ), took hold; the Shaba Cross. These were in fairly
consistent use from the 16th Century onward into the 1900's
when the Belgians colonized the region.
Each weighs approximately 1.2 pounds ( or 600 grams ) and measures 8 inches
or 20 centimeters across. They had a very definite value in this southern region
of Africa, for example ; for a single Shaba Cross, one could get about 22 pounds ( 10 kilos ) of local manioc flour or 5 chickens and maybe a rooster,
if the bargainer was tough. For 15 Crosses, you could have yourself a young wife, a female slave, a goat and a few axe heads.
These are all in nice condition, considering their age.
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135.00 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
HONG YUN ZHAI - 100 DOLLARS
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15.00 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
HONG QI SHE ( CEREAL 100 CASH )
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9.50 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
GUANG SHAN ZHUANG - 200 CASH
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12.00 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
DONG SERNG SHE - 5 CENTS
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13.00 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
CHANG SHUN ( type 2 ) - 300 CASH
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15.00 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
CHANG SHUN - 300 CASH
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15.00 EUR |
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CHINA - BAMBOO TALLY
The bamboo tally is a part banknote, part coin or 'trading facilitator'. It was used like a 'money receipt' mostly ( but not exclusively ) in Shanghai & Hong Kong.
For example, if one went to a gambling parlor, on entering you'd fork over you hard earned money, for which they'd give you these sticks of various denominations. And when upon arriving at the gambling tables, you'd plop down your tallies as representing the money of the bet. On the rare chance that you won, you'd get sticks and not cash as your reward
(which you could later either loose back to the house or trade in for the real stuff ).
Each one has a hole ( except the rice wine stick types ) for easy stringing and they were often found in difinitive number groups ( e.g. 10, 20 etc ), most of the names and denominations are shown for each tally. Be aware, that in any given group there could be a wide variation in the color ( or discoloration ) of each piece, and because these were not knocked out with the precision of coins, there are many differences from one piece to the next.
Tallies have been used in many countries over the centuries and one of the funniest ( ironic ) stories concerning these pieces, takes place in England when, in the 1780's the Government stopped using them, but could not decide how to get rid of their vast accumulation ( since the 14th Century ) of these bits of wood. Finally, in 1834 Parliament rose to the occasion and decided to burn them. So, they set fire to the horde, which burned out of control, spreading to, and burning down the English Parliament building.
Wood tallies are sometimes found ( as old American baseball cards are too ) as insulation in buildings constructed around the turn of the century ( primarily 1890's to 1915 ).
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Divers EUR |
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CHINA " GOD OF WEALTH "
Here we have the Chinese 'God of Wealth' holding an ingot of gold bullion
engraved on to a copper banknote tally issued in the 1909 - 1920 period.
These circulated extensively in places like;
Su Zhou, Xuwi, Nanjing & Shang Hai.
Issued by an authority that was not given the privilege of issuing conventional currency, these are denominated as 10 cash and refer to the name of the issuing group, location and a serial number with chop on the reverse.
Each of these very unusual monetary tallies measures 7.25 centimeters
( nearly 3 inches )long and is in very nice condition.
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25.00 EUR |
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CHINA - COPPER CASH LION TALLIE
Here are flat copper cash coin tallies issued in the early 1900's
and used thru - out the commercial belt of China.
These were issued by the Lu Wan Zhen Bo Ren Ji Bank with a value of
1 RMB, as shown on the obverse. The reverse features two lions head to
head put into circulation by an official Banking authority that was given the privilege of issuing its own conventional currency,these are denominated as cash and refer to the name of the issuing Bank on the front side, on the reverse the words that this piece is valid for the purchase of alcohol is prominently displayed.
tHIS very unusual monetary tallie measures just over 8 centimeters
(3 3/8ths inches )long and is in very fine condition.
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35.00 EUR |
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China - Feng Shui Sword
Presented here is one of the most interesting uses of money in old China.
Magical powers were ascribed to these Ching Dynasty coins
and it was thought that this was potent medicine to ward off evil spirits.
So much in fact that a previous Emperor ( Kwin Leung 1736 - 1795 ) issued
his coins in sword form. If the coins were properly tied to an iron base
with the customary red string ( which these are ) that would mean
that this piece would be the ultimate demon - chaser and used
to cure the sick, strengthen the weak and give long life to anyone who either carried these special money swords or hung them in their home.
Each of these measures approximately 20 inches long and about 4 1/2 inches
at the hilt ( about 50 x 12 centimeters ). Solidly tied with red string with most of the coins in very fine and readable condition.
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125.00 EUR |
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AZTEC HOE MONEY
The Aztecs were a barbarian tribe who came into the Valley of Mexico during the 13th Century. Their language, Uto-Aztecan was once widely spoken from Washington State all the way down to Nicaragua. Hoe ( because of the shape ) money was extensively used by all classes of Aztec society, it was all made of thin copper, of standard size and weight.
The Aztecs were conquered and enslaved by Hernan Cortes in 1521. Their ' hoe money ' survived the ravages of time and is often found in underground hoards.
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39.50 EUR |
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BELL MONEY OF THE NGBANDI
The Ngbandi are composed of 4 smaller ethnic groups ( Abasango, Bwato, Mbaati and Monjomboli )all living in what is today, the Ubangi river region of Congo. The population migrated here in the 1600's. Zaire's former president ( Mobutu Sese Seko ) and his military cadre all came from this tribe.
The money bells ( also called 'cloche' ) were given to the local witch doctor during the Ganza ( strength ) ceremonies by the participants. And could be used to purchase such items as manioc ( a bushel for 3 bells ), wives ( 50 bells ) etc. Each measures approximately 6 inches ( 15 centimeters ) with a ringer stick fastened by a threaded thick metal wire running thru the bell body itself. Apparently these were used until about the 1920's.
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125.00 EUR |
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KUBA TRIBE CLOTH MONEY
The Kuba people with a population of more than a quarter of a million( was made up of: Bieeng, Bokila, Bulaang, Bushoong, Idiing, Ilebo, Kaam, Kayuweeng, Kel, Maluk, Ngeende, Ngongo, Ngoombe, Pyaang and Shoowa ) were noted in the area since the 16th century and were relatively well insulated from both the Arab slave raids and the European incursion ( in the 1880's )in what is today Southeastern Congo.
The Kuba women weave this magnificent raffia cloth, which requires more than a month to complete a small rectangular piece, using traditional methods of dying, detailed needlework, tuft snipping etc. This was traded and used as a money form to neighboring areas.
The design pattern of this Kuba cloth served as a source of design inspiration for modern artists such as Braque, Klee, Matisse and Picasso.
Measures approximately 36 x 14 inches ( 90 x 36 centimeters )
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125.00 EUR |
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SWORD MONEY
KNIFE MONEY of CHINA ISSUED 481 - 255 B.C.
Although the exact date when the Chou Dynasty was established is vague,none the less the Chous were in full power by the 9th Century B.C.
With the added dynastic economic growth a need for money outside of a mere barter system began to develop. The early coins were fashioned to look like the ancient barter instruments the community used previously for trading. The practice of casting stylized coins out of copper began during this time, permitting the Chou to grow considerably.
Included in this development of money, were inscriptions of various types,mostly referring to weights, values and location of origin.
In this case there is an ancient knife shaped object about 5 inches( 13 centimeters )long each bearing a hole for easy handling in quantity.
These are from the City of Ming in the State of Chao.
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39.50 EUR |
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GIANT SPEAR MONEY OF CENTRAL AFRICA
Before the introduction in Africa, of paper money and coins, in the 19th century, trade-currency was produced in several metallic forms. One of the most popular was the 'Liganda Spear blades' used by the Lokele and Turumba ( Kisangani region, between the Lomami and Lualaba Rivers, in what is today the Democratic Republic of Congo, )people. Besides the mere trade value of these spears which was, for example, 25 for a slave( in 1865 ) or representing about 5 Shillings ( 1895 ), they were most often used as the 'bride-price' to be paid to the bride's parents, as compensation for their loss of her valuable work services. Several lengths were popular ( the longer the spear, the more valuable it was considered to be ) including the triple dihunga which roughly equally the longer doah. In 1900, for about 50 doah, one could obtain a wife. These genuine examples all measure approximately 4 to 5 feet tall and weigh between 4 and 5 pounds each, and are in relatively good condition with some slight nicks on the edge. The bottom forms a attractively curved hilt of about 8 to 10 inches wide, forming into an elongated tubular end.
Besides being a measure of the families wealth, these long blades were sometimes ( if the marriage was successful ) melted down into those objects that the daughter could use ( if she was still part of the parent's family ), such as a rake, hoe or cooking utensil. In the event that the marriage was a flop, the groom would demand the return of the Liganda spears.
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195.00 EUR |
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