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SPANISH COLONIAL BLUE TRADE BEADS

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Price: $25.00
Sale Price: $17.50
You Save: $7.50 (30 %)
5
Item Number: bd18
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For nearly 300 years, beads served as a mean of exchange in America. Shell beads originated with Indians but were replaced by European glass beads which were traded to Indians. They were also uses as currency in the colonies where hard money was scarce. Following are original trade beads, wampum, used in America’s first three centuries. Known to be used as early as the 1600’s, this exact type was carried by Lewis and Clark in 1804 and given to the Nez Perce who favored them above all others for their color. They vary, about 1/3”. Over 3” total. 15 beads.