4261

Southwestern Indian Turquoise Pawn Necklace

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Southwestern Indian Turquoise Pawn Necklace
Lot: 4261
Header:
Title: Southwestern Indian Turquoise Pawn Necklace
Description: After 1868, Navajo smiths began making articles from silver dollars, and shortly afterwards, setting them with turquoise. Such jewelry is highly valued by Navajos and never depreciates, making it both a standard of deferred payment and a store of value. Like modern “hard asset” investors, the Navajos buy jewelry with their cash earnings surplus. They then pawn it as needed to purchase supplies, redeeming it when wool or lambs are sold. A beautiful Southwest Indian pawn necklace, a 72" string of turquoise beads with common beads and 4-5" loops of solid turquoise, illustrated in Opitz, p. 65.
Low Estimate: 800
High Estimate: 2000
Pedigree Collection: