Historic Artifacts

Pre-Coinage Currencies Of Nigeria

The Pre-coinage currencies of Nigeria may be divided into two groups. The first group consists of local items adopted as a result of internal trade such as iron, tin, cattle, salt, feathers, seeds of wild plants, farm products,textiles and beads. The second consists of imported items determined by the external trade, influenced by what early traders considered to be of value to a large number of Nigerians. These are cowrie shells, iron and copper bars, manillas, textiles, beads, salt, gin and tobacco.

  • Object Name: Brass Bangle/Currency
    Local Name: Kudi
    Geographical Location/Origin: Numan, Adamawa State
    Use: Medium of Exchange
  • Object Name: Brass Bangle/Currency
    Local Name: Mundawa
    Geographical Location/Origin: Ilorin, Kwara State
    Use: Body adornment by women and as Currency
  • Object Name: Cowry/Currency
    Local Name: Mundawa
    Geographical Location/Origin: Ilorin, Kwara State
    Use: Body adornment by women and as Currency
  • Object Name: Brass Manila/Currency
    Local Name: Munduwa
    Geographical Location/Origin: Efik, Akwa Ibom State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Copper Rod/Currency
    Local Name: Munduwa
    Geographical Location/Origin: Akwa Ibom State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Iron Currency
    Local Name: Ogoja Penny
    Geographical Location/Origin: Ogoja, Cross River State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Iron Currency
    Local Name: Ogoja Penny
    Geographical Location/Origin: Ogoja, Cross River State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Iron Currency
    Local Name: Anyun
    Geographical Location/Origin: Enugu State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Cambayan Beads
    Local Name: Anyun
    Geographical Location/Origin: Enugu State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Brass Spiral Coiled
    Local Name: Nja
    Geographical Location/Origin: Ugbahu, Anambra State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Bead Work Gown
    Local Name: Ibeji
    Geographical Location/Origin: Yoruba Land, Nigeria
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Copper Anklet
    Local Name: Anyun
    Geographical Location/Origin: Enugu State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Braded Copper Bracelet
    Local Name: Idang
    Geographical Location/Origin: Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Iron Currency
    Local Name: Tajere
    Geographical Location/Origin: Northern Nigeria
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Iron Currency
    Local Name: Anyun
    Geographical Location/Origin: Enugu State
    Use: Currency
  • Object Name: Iron Currency
    Local Name: Anyun
    Geographical Location/Origin: Enugu State
    Use: Currency