'Aztec' Axe or Hoe Money - Museum Gallery

Here is a medium of exchange called "tajaderas," but more commonly known as 'Aztec Ax money.' Numismatists and historians throughout the years have had different views of these copper pieces made in the shape resembling Greek taus. The earliest reference to these is in a document dated Oct. 31, 1548, in which a Spanish resident of Antiquera de Oaxaca, Francisco Lopez Tenorio, not only described the piece but also attached a drawing with the notation: "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." Even in the 1500s there was an awareness of the grading of the medium of exchange.
The late Dr. Alberto Pradeau in his "Numismatic History of Mexico, From the Pre Columbian Epoch to 1823," quotes many sources concerning this subject and was of the opinion that these "tajaderas" were used as money. Current Mexican numismatists concur with Dr. Pradeau. Hoe money is collected and falls under the classification of odd and curious money, primitive money, or in recent parlance, as ethnographic trade money or articles..
Not much is written about these. They are found in this shape as well as in a more chisel shaped form. They have been found in Ecuador, from where the craft of metallurgy was imported to Mexico. A more proper term for these pieces might be 'Mixtec hoe money' because they tend to be found in Oaxaca (SW Mexico), the old stomping ground of the Mixtec and Zapotec tribes, conquered by the Aztecs about 30 years before the arrival of Cortez.
Check out a pre-cursor to this type under 'Ecuador'.
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Please see an example of an 'Aztec Hoe' money listed under Mexico. There is also an illustrated article in the Moneta Library at:
To read more about ancient money of the Americas see the article in the Moneta Library by Don Bailey on 'Spanish Colonial Mexico' below.
Hoe Money of the Americas - Martin: [ link ]
Spanish Colonial Mexico - Bailey: [ link ]
Interested in Primitive Money? Then check out this YouTube video created by Kagins Auctions featuring Bob Leonard and Charles Opitz upon the massive sale in March 2021. Click this: [ link ]