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Brick of Tea, Siberia, 18th-19th century

American History Museum

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International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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Object Details

Description

Feathers, bones, seashells, cloth, and important commodities, such as this brick of tea, are just some of the variety of objects that have been used to represent value and to make general or ceremonial payments.

Credit Line

Benjamin Stack, Harvey G. Stack, and Norman Stack

date made

18th - 19th century

ID Number

NU.77.38.105

accession number

1977.1211

catalog number

77.38.105

Object Name

tea brick money
alternative currency

Other Terms

Tea Brick Money; Asia; Siberia

Physical Description

leaf, tea (overall material)
sawdust (overall material)
brown (overall color)
compressed (overall production method/technique)

Measurements

overall: 4.7 cm x 4.5 cm x 1.9 cm; 1 27/32 in x 1 25/32 in x 3/4 in

place made

Russia: Siberia

Related Publication

Feingold, Ellen R.. Value of Money, The

See more items in

Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection

Exhibition

Value of Money

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-21b7-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_1068795
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