Pre-Columbian "Hoe" money
Date1200-1500 A.D.
OriginCentral America
MediumCopper
DimensionsLength: 2" Width: 1"
Credit LineGift of the Lasser family
Object number1996-872,118
DescriptionPre-Columbian "Hoe" moneyLabel TextWell before the arrival of the Spanish, the natives of what is now the area between Mexico and Peru used these "hoe" or blade-shaped copper pieces as a form of currency. Called "tajaderos," meaning "axes" in Spanish, they certainly didn't fit the European idea of coinage.
Regardless, they were accepted and valued against the Spanish silver reales and are mentioned and illustrated in documents going back to 1548. Another early reference says:
"This is the form of copper coins that were in use in New Spain. The value placed and at which these were commonly accepted was of four such pieces, if new, for five Spanish reales. If worn, many refused to accept them, and they were sold to be melted at ten pieces for one Spanish Real."
These pieces of native currency had fallen out of use well before the beginning of the 17th century.
Exhibition(s)
November 21, 1708
December 7, 1775
February 8, 1779
November 1, 1709
April 10, 1778
April 1, 1773
June, 1722
August 25, 1774
April 10, 1778
January 1, 1756
July 17, 1775