“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
Views of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon
Ahmet Emin Dönmez • 23 August 2024 • update: 23 August 2024
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - AUGUST 22: A view of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 22, 2024. Before being used as a means of payment, shells were preferred as ornaments, jewelry and precious stones, and their commercial value was determined by taking into account their brightness, patterns, length, age and quality. ( Ahmet Emin Dönmez - Anadolu Agency )Ahmet Emin Dönmez
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - AUGUST 22: A view of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 22, 2024. Before being used as a means of payment, shells were preferred as ornaments, jewelry and precious stones, and their commercial value was determined by taking into account their brightness, patterns, length, age and quality. ( Ahmet Emin Dönmez - Anadolu Agency )Ahmet Emin Dönmez
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - AUGUST 22: A view of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 22, 2024. Before being used as a means of payment, shells were preferred as ornaments, jewelry and precious stones, and their commercial value was determined by taking into account their brightness, patterns, length, age and quality. ( Ahmet Emin Dönmez - Anadolu Agency )Ahmet Emin Dönmez
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - AUGUST 22: A view of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 22, 2024. Before being used as a means of payment, shells were preferred as ornaments, jewelry and precious stones, and their commercial value was determined by taking into account their brightness, patterns, length, age and quality. ( Ahmet Emin Dönmez - Anadolu Agency )Ahmet Emin Dönmez
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - AUGUST 22: A view of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 22, 2024. Before being used as a means of payment, shells were preferred as ornaments, jewelry and precious stones, and their commercial value was determined by taking into account their brightness, patterns, length, age and quality. ( Ahmet Emin Dönmez - Anadolu Agency )Ahmet Emin Dönmez
“Cowrie”: First sea shell used as a payment method in Africa
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON - AUGUST 22: A view of the shells of the small sea snail, called “Cowrie” or "Cowry", which has long been used as a means of payment due to their impossibility of imitation in Yaounde, Cameroon on August 22, 2024. Before being used as a means of payment, shells were preferred as ornaments, jewelry and precious stones, and their commercial value was determined by taking into account their brightness, patterns, length, age and quality. ( Ahmet Emin Dönmez - Anadolu Agency )Ahmet Emin Dönmez
