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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Loong Siew, post: 3369191, member: 75799&quot;]I have always been fascinated with bizarre and unusual looking money. This may qualify under mediums of exchange which has and was actually traded for goods be it ancient, primitive or even modern. However, modern toys and trinkets from thenlikesnof Niue, Palau, Solomon Islands etc which are specifically collectible souvenirs IMHO do not qualify despite a legal tender value attached to it (which in today&#039;s world means precious little).</p><p><br /></p><p>I will start with a recent acquisition of mine which I have known for sometime but decided to acquire 1 recently. No regrets when it arrived <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie31" alt=":cat:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Katanga Cross. Previously state of Katanga now a part of Republic of Congo. 19th to early 20th century. 730g</b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]893608[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>This is a copper Katanga cross casted in the state of Katanga in modern day Congo. The design is primitive as it is casted from molten copper poured into sand moulds into such characteristic cross shaped. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]893616[/ATTACH] </p><p>Whilst weight and sizes may vary, they are generally divided into large and small crosses and traded primarily by size as opposed to weight. That is because the weight even among large crosses like this varies but tends to be around the 700g-1.2kg range. Smaller crosses exists and is likely for small change. </p><p><br /></p><p>To provide an estimate of it&#039;s value, one cross was able to exchange for 5-6 chickens and 10 of these could buy a gun or a female slave. </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;These were also regarded as symbols of wealth and prestige among the indigenous people of Congo particularly around the state of Katanga. Such was it&#039;s importance that the once brief independent state of Katanga had these crosses in their flag and coins before they were united into the DRC. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]893617[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>sources: </p><p><a href="http://www.ancientpages.com/2018/09/10/katanga-cross-symbol-of-secrets-power-and-valuable-currency-of-the-congolese-people/amp/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.ancientpages.com/2018/09/10/katanga-cross-symbol-of-secrets-power-and-valuable-currency-of-the-congolese-people/amp/" rel="nofollow">www.ancientpages.com/2018/09/10/katanga-cross-symbol-of-secrets-power-and-valuable-currency-of-the-congolese-people/amp/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katanga_Cross" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katanga_Cross" rel="nofollow">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katanga_Cross</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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