Object Details
Description
Small seashells have many characteristics that make them ideal monetary objects. They are durable, portable, and difficult to imitate. One species of cowrie shell is known as the money shell because it was used so widely for this purpose. Shells circulated as a medium of exchange in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and North America.
Credit Line
Chase Manhattan Bank
date made
n.d.
ID Number
1979.1263.00542
catalog number
1979.1263.00542
accession number
1979.1263
collector/donor number
OC150A
Object Name
cowrie shell money
alternative currency
Other Terms
Cowry Shell Money; Africa; Uganda
Physical Description
shell, cowry (overall material)
white (overall color)
gray (overall color)
orange/yellow (overall color)
natural (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
overall: 1.4 cm x 2.75 cm x 2.15 cm; 9/16 in x 1 3/32 in x 27/32 in
place used
Africa
Uganda
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
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1066384