Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Mexico City region, Aztec, ca. 1300 to 1500 CE. A fine copper axe head displaying an elongated body that flares to a curved blade at one end. Used as currency in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, this axe head is also known as a tajadero, the Spanish word for a chopping knife, due to the shape. A single tajadero, like this example, was thought to be equal to roughly 8000 cacao seeds. In the early days after the Spanish conquest, this type of currency continued to be used in the absence of minted coins from Spain. A pretty green and russet patina covers the surface! Size (axe money): 6.5" L x 1.7" W (16.5 cm x 4.3 cm); (case): 8.2" L x 6.2" W (20.8 cm x 15.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173212

A few nicks to peripheries and abrasions to surface, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with rich patina. Set in modern Riker case.