Ngbaka Mbili or Spear Head Currency, Based

A broad iron blade, rust red and gold, flaring into two small hooked barbs.

This mbili or spear head currency, based, is Ngbaka, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is forged iron, with a catalogued origin of Republic of Congo, Central Africa. Throughout Central Africa, forged iron in standardized shapes served as a store of value and was exchanged in bridewealth and other important transactions. This one has a wide pointed blade with a small knob at the tip and two barbed projections at the base. A slender tang runs below. The surface is richly rusted. Mounted on a stand, it is 6 inches wide and 22.5 high.

Money with an edge, literally.