Cloth Bolts
Textile currency existed in many forms, but in West Africa and Asia, cloth bolts—measured and cut fabric rolls—were frequently used to trade. They served as dowries, political tribute, and payment for services. The color, type, and origin of the fabric determined its value.
In regions where coins were rare, cloth was not only practical (it dressed you) but also prestigious. Kente cloth in Ghana or silk bolts in China weren’t just pretty—they were literally wearable wallets.
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