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Congo, Mbole People, Dot

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Congo, Mbole People, Dot (obverse) Congo, Mbole People, Dot (reverse)

Metals are especially frequent among the many materials used to produce traditional currencies. Besides their value as money, they have a value as objects of utility. And they can be brought into diverse shapes. The scopes for designs on the one hand allow identification, and on the other hand an increase in value – be it by weight or workmanship. Due to its shape and pattern, this bronze bar is immediately recognizable as Mbole art. The ingot weighs almost 2.4 kilograms and with this represents considerable value. Such bars were trade in wide parts of West Africa for their raw material. Moreover they reflected the wealth of their owner.

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Signet Sunflower Foundation