19th Century Bronze Manilla African Trade Token Bracelet 3.5x3 Inches 300 grams

A fine bronze African 19th century trade token, or "manilla," weighing 300 grams and suitable as a bracelet or anklet. The manilla was created by Europeans, based upon traditional African ornamental shapes, and became established as a standard form of currency from the 17th to 19th centuries, only being legally phased out in the 1940s. The became, unfortunately associated less with general trade and more with the slave trade over time; per the estate from which this one was purchased, it came from the wreck of the Duoro, which was only revealed to have been involved in the by-then-outlawed (in Britain) slave trade when it was salvaged in the 1970s, off the Isle of Scilly. Turns out it was loaded with manillas, and likely bound for Africa, even if its manifest said otherwise.... An ideal size for a large bracelet or an anklet; it works on my (175 male not-especially-swole) wrist. It's 3.5 inches across, 3 deep, weighs 300 grams. Some minor oxidation and pitting from age and seawater exposure, but like many manillas from the Duoro, it's in remarkably good condition, indicating it was "buried" deep in the cargo or sandand wasn't exposed to corrosive salt water to much extent. A bronze alloy of some type, but seems more bronze than brass. (The Benin Bronzes were made from manillas, and are actually, technically, brass, but manillas came in a mix of metals, from copper to bronze to brass, and everything in between.) Free shipping, lower 48 only, otherwise contact me!