Traditional money from West Africa consisting of copper. Matt, slightly shining tarnished brown and greenish patina. Slight oval shape.
Used for trading, and on occasion in exchange for slaves.
Exact origin unknown
Manillas circulated in West Africa from the ending of the 15th century until 1948. Besides other criteria the quality of their sound would tell their value. In the middle of the 16th century Portuguese seamen had to pay 50 Manillas for one ounce of gold.
