Tuareg Brass Bracelet Currency

A heavy brass horseshoe with a faceted knob at each end.

This bracelet currency is Tuareg, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is brass. Metal rings and bracelets were widely used as stores of value and currency in parts of West Africa. A thick, curved band of golden brass ends in two chunky terminals, each cut into flat faces and stamped with fine incised patterns. The surface shows scratches and a soft, aged sheen. It is 4.5 inches wide and 3.5 high.

It would be hard to lose, and harder to forget.