Igbo Coiled Copper Alloy Currency Armlet (Manilla)

Late 19th – early 20th century, Igbo people, Nigeria, West Africa

Magnificent and exceptionally large coiled copper alloy currency armlet, formed as a powerful spring-like structure composed of eight tightly twisted coils ending in bulging, squared-off terminals. With its impressive size, weight, and sculptural presence, this piece was almost certainly a prestige example—created to display wealth and status rather than for regular wear. Its bold form and commanding proportions make it an outstanding specimen of Igbo metalwork and traditional currency.

The Igbo people—Ndi Igbo—are the second-largest ethnic group in southern Nigeria and among the most influential in West Africa. Their densely populated homeland spans the southeastern region along the Niger River and has long been a center of trade and craftsmanship. Through extensive commercial networks exchanging ivory, pepper, and later slaves, the Igbo acquired significant quantities of copper and developed an advanced metallurgical tradition.

Their technique involved hammering copper alloys into long rods, which were then heated, shaped, and tightly wound into coils before being cut and adjusted to form bracelets, armlets, anklets, and other wearable forms of wealth. These coiled currency pieces—especially large examples such as this—are increasingly sought after for their rarity, beauty, and historical importance.

Manillas, the broader currency category to which this piece belongs, served as a major form of commodity money across West Africa. Produced in numerous shapes and sizes, they originated before European contact and expanded through early Portuguese trade. Used as currency, dowry wealth, social prestige items, and ornament, they remained in circulation until the late 1940s and still appear as decorative status objects today.

While most manillas are the recognizable horseshoe-shaped forms, prestige coil types such as this were highly valued within Igbo communities. The earliest historical records show their use in the Calabar region, where, in 1505, 8–10 manillas could purchase a slave, and a single copper manilla could buy an elephant’s tusk. Each region had its own named varieties and strict standards for acceptance, making these currencies both functional and culturally specific.

A museum-worthy, exceedingly rare Igbo coil manilla—a stunning example of traditional wealth, metallurgical mastery, and the sculptural aesthetics of West African currency traditions.

Excellent condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Beautiful encrusted patina of greens, tans and browns, with russet highlights. Light oxidization. Size approx. 21,5cm x 11,5cm x 7,3cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Igbo Manilla Currency Bracelet, AACHS Art Collection, Philadelphia, PA (https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/aachsartcollection/artwork/igbo-manilla-currency-bracelet-aachs-art-collection-f15180)

Coiled Armlet, The Brooklyn Museum, Accession Number: 2006.66.3 (https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/171372)

References and further reading:

The Teach Yourself Guide to Numismatics, C.C. Chamberlain, English Universities Press. 1963, p. 92.

The West African Manilla Currency: Research and Securing of Evidence from 1439-2019, Rolf Denk, Tredition GmbH, Hamburg, 2020.

Primitive Money in its ethnological, historical and economic aspects, Paul Einzig, Eyre & Spottiswoode, London, 1949.

Object biographies, Manilla or Penannular Bracelet Currency, Eric Edwards, Balfour Library, Pitt Rivers Museum, January 29th, 2010. (https://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/rpr/index.php/objectbiographies/78-manilla.html)