Kissy pennies were an iron currency made and used in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1800s and up to the early 1900s, in some areas. The strips are approximately 12 to 13 inches long with a “T” shape on one end and a flat oval shape on the other end. The long neck is twisted. Iron was valued throughout West Africa because of the difficulty in molding and shaping. The male poro society controlled kissi penny production and determined the currency’s value. Anyone attempting to produce kissi pennies outside of the poro society control was put to death. The bundle of kissi pennies is in excellent condition.
GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Sierra Leone, Mende. The Mende people are a population of farmers. They take tremendous pride in their cultural practices. The society is arranged in chiefdoms of different lineages. The Mende have very strong traditional societies that moderate social behavior and cultural practices. The societies also play major roles with rites of passage, divination, and healing. The Mende mystical and cultural beliefs help to bind people into communities. Notable among the Mende secret societies are the Poro, Sande and Wunde societies.
