Old African Currency – MBILI – Ngbaka, Mbanza, Lobala, Bangala Groups – DR Congo

Iron. Cm. 47,0 high (18.50 Inches); grams 719,0 (25.36 oz.).

Made of a wrought iron plate shaped like a tip of a spear with two appendices at the base of the blade which is supported by a solid rod.

It was used as a currency in the entire region. Produced also by the Bangala group which used it for marriage contracts.

For similar examples and more informations see:
– “The Perfect Form”, by Roberto Ballarini, page 352;
– “African Currency”, by Adolfo Bartolomucci, page 106.

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