RETURN TO HOMEPAGE

Thursday, October 18, 2012

KATANGA

KATANGA CROSS
 The Katanga cross is a scarce and unusual piece of primitive money. It is a large cast copper cross that was used in parts of what is now Zaire up to the early 20th century. One would buy about 22 pounds (10kg.) of flour or five or six chickens. Ten would buy a gun. The Katanga Cross is about 6” to 7" (16 cm) across and weighs about 1 1/4 pounds (600 grams). This large and unusual form of money was pictured on the coins of Katanga during its brief period of independence in the early 1960's.

No comments:

Post a Comment