The Manilla, also called
"slave bracelet money" was used extensively on the "slave
coast" of West Africa, which included parts of modern Ghana, Togo, Benin,
and Nigeria. Most were manufactured in Europe and traded into
Africa. Their value fluctuated from time to time and place to place. They are
typically made of a copper or a copper and lead alloy. In the 15th and 16th
century male slaves went for 2 to 10 Manillas each. By the time the Manilla was
demonetized in Nigeria in 1947 it was worth only 3 pence. The Popo
Manilla, manufactured by the French, is about 3.25 inches (8 cm) wide and has a
small flan.
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