Metrics
9 File views/ downloads
118 Record Views
Poster
Before the gold standard: alternative currencies in West Africa during the Colonial Era
University of West Florida Libraries
Student Scholar Symposium & Faculty Research Showcase (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 2021)
2021
Abstract
Cowry shell were used as currency on both the Western and Eastern coasts of Africa for centuries. They originated in Africa and were used for trade with India, Asia, and Europe during the colonial era. The value of a cowry shell is determined by the size of the shell itself, meaning that bigger shells represent a larger value or currency.
Manillas were crafted of metal, usually a combination of metals that can be used to trace their origin in various locations in Europe and Africa. They were primarily used by Europeans to trade with West Africa in exchange for goods, including slaves. Manillas were manufactured until 1894 as they had become too expensive to produce. They were still actively used as currency until 1948 when they were withdrawn from the economy and government buy-back programs exchanged them modem currency.
Both the cowry shells and manillas were frequently used in jewelry as well as for decorating or creating cultural objects.
Details
- Title
- Before the gold standard
- Resource Type
- Poster
- Event
- Student Scholar Symposium & Faculty Research Showcase (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 2021)
- Contributors
- Erin W Stone (Faculty Mentor)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries; Argo Scholar Commons
- Format
- pdf
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries to digitize and/or display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380090790106600
- Academic Unit
- Office of Undergraduate Research; 2021 Student Scholars Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase
- Language
- English