234 RATE OF EXCHANGE. 



because they have considerable effect upon the value 

 of this sort of money, ahmulahs much worn not 

 being received as such at all, and can only be weighed 

 against weight in the ordinary mode of barter, in 

 which case, I presume, they lose their character as 

 currency, and must be considered articles of 

 exchange alone. 



As money, new salt-pieces are given during the 

 dry months in the town of Aliu Amba, at the rate of 

 twenty for the most favoured Austrian dollar. This 

 is of the mintage of the Empress, Maria Theresa, 

 and is called " salt burr" woman silver ; and it 

 is particularly insisted upon, that to be genuine, 

 these should possess certain peculiarities, namely, 

 that the bust of the Empress should bear a tiara or 

 bandeau placed in the hair, a star of many points 

 upon the shoulder, and beneath all, near to the 

 rim, the letters F. S. It is of great importance to 

 travellers in Abyssinia, at least in Shoa, to be aware 

 of the predilection of the natives for this kind of 

 dollar, which will always bring in exchange twenty- 

 five per cent, more than those of the mintage of the 

 Emperor, called " want burr," man silver, and even 

 ten per cent, more than the Maria Theresa dollars, 

 which do not present these three important requi- 

 sites. In the wet months of August, September, 

 October, and November, from sixteen to eighteen 

 ahmulahs only can be obtained for the best dollars, 

 and for the others less in proportion. During this 

 time, it is with great difficulty that the u want burr,' 



