This is an exceptionally fine and complete shell-currency presentation scepter. Such scepters were called gobaela. They were used in the 19th and 20th centuries on the Louisiade Archipelago, a group of islands in the outmost southeast of Papua New Guinea. Gobaelas represented wealth in mbawagi, shell money discs cut from the red Spondylus shell. Such shell discs are attached along the upper rim of the scepter. On both sides hang pearl shells. Gobaelas were considered as wealth and money in many cases in the kula, a ritual exchange of wealth and gifts.