Amole Bar

A bar of rock salt as small change, worth more the farther it went.

Back of Amole Bar: the Amole salt bars tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #41 — Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #41, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Amole Bar: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #41 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe — Security Edition · front

Security Edition back of Amole Bar: a color medallion of Noun #41 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story — Security Edition · back

v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · to early 20th c.

Amole salt bars

Rectangular bars of rock salt called amole served as money across Ethiopia for centuries and still circulated in the early 20th century, buying more the farther they travelled from the salt flats.

Source: Ethiopia, 1 amoli – National Currency Collection (Bank of Canada Museum) ↗

How a note would work

Bars are earned by carrying goods to members who live farther away and spent on grain, cloth or a hand with chores. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition

PlaceEthiopian highlands, Ethiopia
Erato early 20th c.
RegionAfrica & the Middle East
UnitBar · Bars
Face value5 Bars
SerialGB-G008-N0041
NounActual Noun #41 ↗
Why this NounAmole bars were pocket change, and a wallet with a watchful eye is where you would keep them.
Headwallet
Glassessquare yellow saturated
Bodyteal light
Accessoryeye
Seedbg 1 · body 27 · acc 50 · head 220 · glasses 20