Watch List notes:

"Manillas" Slave Currency. Five pieces of Manillas slave currency, ca.16th-19th Century. These small bracelet form examples are in excellent condition and range from 1-1/4" to 1-5/8" wide, showing signs of usage. Nice group! Ex Pennsylvania estate.Manillas were manufactured in Britain, France, Portugal, Belgium and Holland and were exported in vast quantities to West Africa where they were widely used for trade. They were usually made in Copper and Brass although some of the more ornate examples were also made in silver and other metals. In 1902 Nigeria prohibited their import and in 1911 manillas ceased to be legal tender. However, their use as money continued until 1948, when the Government called them in and exchanged them for modern Nigerian money. Many, however, stayed in circulation though no longer as official money. In French West Africa they remained in use as money through the mid-1950s and were never officially withdrawn from circulation.