Coin

In North Africa silver coins were often melted down and made into jewelry, a practice still in use today. In Ethiopia,18th century thaler coins from Austria were preferred. The thaler was popular because it was difficult to "clip" since it had writing on the side of the coin. The combination of a ruler and a crowned double eagle also appealed to local symbolism. While sometimes the coin was used directly as a pendant, more often it was melted down to fashion neck crosses, liturgical crowns and similar adornments.