AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE IRON INGOT "HOE MONEY"

Used in East Africa as a means of exchange as well as the raw material from which weapons were forged. See Odd and Curious Money, p.52-3 where it is identified as "hoe money" and stated in 1986 to be worth $25.00 - $300 depending on size, from 9" to 28" length. This example of 27 1/2" in length. Skillfully forged with an alternating offset dished section. Excellent. An essential element to the slave trade of which very few specimens survive as they were made to be consumed.