Catalog Number
|
Catalog Number |
CAS 2017-0002-0010 | |
| Category | Tools & Implements | |
| Object Name | Currency | |
| Culture | Micronesian | |
| Global Region | Oceania | |
| Country | Federated States of Micronesia | |
| State/Prov./Dist. | Yap | |
| County | ||
| Other Geographic Data | Western Caroline Islands | |
| Maker's Name | ||
| Date of Manufacture | ca. 1945 | |
| Collection Name | N/A | |
| Materials | Shell: Black-lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera); Coconut husk fiber | |
| Description | Series of five pieces of currency strung together; Each piece is constructed from one half of a black-lipped pearl oyster shell; Four of the shells have had a small portion cut off from each side, the fifth shell being intact; Each shell has a single hole drilled through the hinge end, and a loop of coconut husk fiber cordage has been passed through it; The cordage has been coil-wrapped with more cordage and attached to a long piece of coil-wrapped, coconut husk fiber cordage; This cordage terminates at one end of the series with a shell, the other end is looped back upon itself; Two of the shells have detached from the series; According to original accession entry for similar pieces (CAS 0477), currency such as this functioned as a prestigious gift presented to the chiefs of Yap Island by residents of the outer Caroline Islands. | |
| Dimensions (cm) | Width = ca. 206.5, Thickness = 3.0, Length = ca. 22.0 | |