| For additional detail, click on any photo below to see the higher resolution version of the image. |
| For additional detail, click on any photo below to see the higher resolution version of the image. |
| Lerale copper rod currency, Transvaal, South Africa 20" long copper 19th century and extremely rare in complete form from the Alan Helms collection, Boston, MA ex private NYC collection $2500 In her book Red Gold of Africa (University of Wisconsin Press, 2003), Eugenia W. Herbert states: "Indeed the extreme reluctance of their owners to part with them reinforces the theory that their value was more than monetary. As a consequence, examples are extremely rare: only about 15 are known in private or museum collections." |
| In their complete form, merale (singular lerale) were used for major transactions and bride wealth payments; for smaller transactions they would have been divided into smaller objects, principally bracelets and charms. They originated in Pallabora, Haenerstburn District, Zoutpansberg, Northern Transvaal. Although perhaps unintentional, the shape at the top suggests the head of an animal. |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |