Did you know that, in Mozambique, there is a fascinating tradition of turning old coins into pieces of jewellery? This custom, which dates back several decades, is a true art that combines history, culture and aesthetics in a single object.
The coins, many of them from colonial times or even earlier, are carefully worked by local artisans, who give them new life in the form of rings, bracelets, necklaces and other adornments. Many of these adornments end up having significant value, not only because of the history they represent but also because of the materials they are made from. The coins used often contain silver, bronze and other metals that give the pieces durability and the special shine that distinguishes them.
Imagine wearing a ring or a necklace made from coins that passed through the hands of merchants, explorers and inhabitants of a Mozambique of bygone times. It is not merely an adornment, but also an authentic piece of history that can be passed down from generation to generation.
This practice of transforming old coins is a tradition that testifies to the creativity and skill of Mozambican artisans. It is most common in the north of the country – particularly on Mozambique Island and Ibo Island –, a region where the presence and fusion of Arab, European and African cultural influences created a fertile environment for this type of craft, which is valued as creative and identity-based expression.
Jewellery-making has always played an important role in Mozambique's culture and history. The adornments worn by women and men identify their regional origin and are a revealing symbol of their social status. The filigree technique was introduced by the Arabs before the sixteenth century, and silver pieces in particular attracted the commercial interest of Arab merchants and Portuguese settlers, who supplied the raw material and bought the finished products. It was above all the fact that silver was becoming scarce that led jewellers to use old coins.
If you ever have the opportunity to acquire or see one of these pieces of jewellery, remember that you are looking at a piece laden with meaning and history.
