18th/19th Century West African? Nigerian Okpoho Manilla Currency Piece 1

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18th/19th Century West African? Nigerian Okpoho Manilla Currency Piece 1:
$12.45

This sale is for a small Okpoho Manilla bronze currency piece, dating from the 18th or early 19th century. It is in excellent condition with a very visually appealing patina. The use of currency pieces of this sort was widespread throughout west Africa until the end of the 19th century and, rather depressingly, had its roots in the slave trade which flourished in the 18the century.
The piece itself was most likely manufactured in England, possibly in Birmingham, and was then exported to Africa in exchange for local goods. It measures around 5.5cm across and is slightly darker and richer in colour than the picture suggests - a result of the lighting conditions when I took the picture. I have an almost identical piece for sale in one of my other sales.