**Originally Listed At $100**

West Africa, Mali or Niger, Tuareg peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A forged-steel currency knife bearing a lengthy blade with a tapered tip, angular shoulders, and a slender handle with an integral suspension loop. While the blade bears no edges, both faces are accentuated with delicately hammered zigzagging motifs. Currency knives like this example were often worn as visible currency pieces to encourage trade and display one's wealth, though their main utilitarian purpose was for breaking up and stirring sugar into tea. Size: 10.6" L x 0.7" W (26.9 cm x 1.8 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in November 2015; ex-private Overland Park, Kansas, USA collection

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#154807

Slight bending to overall form, with light abrasions to blade and handle, and minor softening to some engraved details, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits throughout.