Vestafrika - Nigeria-regionen. Manilla bracelet money, small Popo type (106 gr) 19-20th century (Ingen mindstepris)

Primitive money Manilla West Africa; Okpoho type Years 1801-1948 Brass Bracellet
These are trade manillas, produced by European countries to facilitate trade with Western Africa, which later became the main currency of the slave trade. These manillas were also popular in local markets, being used as a currency amongst the people. Varieties exist based on who produced these manillas and who they gave them to, with five primary types.

In Europe, these manillas were produced in Portugal, the Netherlands, England (Birmingham), and France (Nantes). Currently, there is no way to distinguish the Dutch types from those of the other countries, which are known for producing the following types:
- Mkporo type: Portugal (and likely also the netherlands)
- Popo type: France
- Nkobnkob type: England (early type; and likely also the netherlands)
- Onoudu type: England (middle type)
- Okpoho type: England (late type)

These trade manillas were often made of brass, which was prefered over copper, and was also cheaper and easier to cast than copper. While these circulated late, in 1948, Britain began ""operation manilla"" in their territories to replace these manillas with coins. And in 1949, they ceased to be legal tender.

Actual dimensions:
diameter: 8 x 6.5 cm,
thickness: 10.2 mm,
weigth: 106 gram.

Please take a good look at the photos, they are part of the description.
They provide a clear picture of the quality and condition of the product and they fill in any gaps in the text or correct any errors and are decisive for the description of the product.