A Katanga cross, also called a handa, is a cast copper cross which was once used as a form of currency

Currency

In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...

 in parts of what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...

 (DRC) in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Katanga crosses were made in various sizes, typically about 20 cm (8 inches) across, and weighing about 1 kilogram (2 pounds). The name derives from Katanga

Katanga Province

Katanga Province is one of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Between 1971 and 1997, its official name was Shaba Province. Under the new constitution, the province was to be replaced by four smaller provinces by February 2009; this did not actually take place.Katanga's regional...

, a rich copper mining region in the south-eastern portion of the DRC.

These X-shaped ingot

Ingot

An ingot is a material, usually metal, that is cast into a shape suitable for further processing. Non-metallic and semiconductor materials prepared in bulk form may also be referred to as ingots, particularly when cast by mold based methods.-Uses:...

s were cast by local coppersmiths by pouring molten copper into sand mold

Sand casting

Sand casting, also known as sand molded casting, is a metal casting process characterized by using sand as the mold material.It is relatively cheap and sufficiently refractory even for steel foundry use. A suitable bonding agent is mixed or occurs with the sand...

s.

Original value

During its period of currency, a Katanga cross would buy about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of flour, five or six chickens or six axes, or five chickens and one ax. Two would buy a gun.

Modern uses

In 1960, the Katanga province of Congo-Leopoldville

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...

 unilateraly declared independence. Three red katanga crosses appeared in the lower hoist of the flag. That flag is used currently by the Province of Katanga. The state issued its own coins in 1961 that, as a homage to their heritage, depicted the Katanga Cross. (The State of Katanga was forcibly reunited with The Congo in 1963.)