Day Trader Necklace
by Douglas Rich
Sterling silver, Turquoise — $1575.00
This necklace incorporates a modern day title coupled with historical elements resulting in a beautiful yet humorous take on both Wall Street and the American West. Adorning the turquoise strands are sterling silver pendants cast from original artifacts. The following information will offer the wearer a glimpse into the historical follies of man that have changed little in over 200 years. There were “Day Traders” active even back then.
The Cross of St. Lorraine is rooted in both French and Vatican history. Missionaries to the new world distributed these to Indian tribes as symbols of peace and Christianity. However, one man’s symbol of divinity can be another man’s badge of war. It seems this cross bore a striking resemblance to the double barred “dragonfly” motif used by warriors in battle. Dragonflies are swift and dart about thus avoiding capture. The following historical encounter might shed some light on this type of miscommunication. While listening patiently to a poorly translated Christian explanation of Christ and the crucifixion by a Jesuit missionary, the crowd of assembled Indian dignitaries suddenly let out a unified gasp of astonishment. When the missionary asked the nature of their outburst, the Indian leaders responded with the following question, “How did you tie your God to a dragonfly?” Followed by, “When the dragonfly flew away, did you ever find your God again?” Imagine what it must be like to address congress?
The Hudson Bay trade token was minted in 1840 and used as currency among all Hudson Bay trading posts. Rather than use standard currency (gold, silver), the Hudson Bay Company established their own form of money (tokens as well as paper promissory notes). This token, emblazoned with the company coat of arms was used as exchange for “One made beaver,” meaning one tanned and ready for market beaver pelt. With many outposts located in extremely remote locations, white trappers as well as Indians were limited to using only Hudson Bay currency. The trade tokens were all but worthless anywhere but a Hudson Bay outpost. It seem those “Buy here, pay here” used car lots were inspired by 18th century Hudson Bay outposts. Welcome to the continuous circle of human history.
The British East India Company trade token was recovered from the wreck of the Admirer Gardner. Struck in 1808, the original copper token was part of a large shipment bound for Bengal India in 1809. The tokens were struck by the Soho Mint and were the first to be produced on a steam driven coin press. The ship ran aground in the Goodwin Sands also known as the “ship swallower” located just off the English coast. Both the Admiral Gardner and the sister ship, Britannia, succumbed to this treacherous nautical graveyard. The Admiral Gardner was heavily loaded with a cargo of anchors, cannonballs, copper ingots, iron bars and a shipment of new copper trade tokens. Trying to save on shipping costs, the ship was irresponsibly uninsured by her owners. What could possibly happen? Ever heard of a company called Enron?
Luckenbooth brooches were created by the British Crown as gifts of friendship to the ever warring Scottish clans. Symbolizing peace, the brooch features two hearts intertwined under one crown. Failing to appease the ongoing political mess in Scotland, the Crown reasoned that perhaps the same gift would favor good Indian relations in North America. Regarded as nothing more than a pretty bauble, the brooches had little effect pacifying tribal leaders or those previously wears kilts. However, the historical legacy certainly favored Mel Gibson’s movie making career.
French trade crosses were widely distributed all over North America during the fur trade. Silversmiths in Boston, Philadelphia & Montreal produced them by the thousands. Historical paintings of the fur trade era illustrate these crosses being worn by just about everyone. Most were traded for furs and were highly prized by Métis Voyageurs as trade currency. Offering their services to both the Hudson Bay Company as well as the Northwest Fur Trading Company, the Métis Voyageurs were the first discount brokers in North America. Their sideline business involved acting as middlemen agents between Indians and remote fur trading outposts. Transferring pelts quickly for a price, the original Fedex.
