Navajo Sterling Silver, Turquoise, and Coin Necklace by Betty Yellowhorse (SOLD)

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Native American Navajo Sterling Silver necklace by Betty Yellowhorse - $1400 NECKLACE: 22-1/2" L -- Necklace without pendant (open) 11" L -- Necklace without pendant (closed) 15" L -- Necklace with pendant (closed) 4" L x 2" W -- Pendant CLASP: Handmade silver hook clasp with Liberty Mercury dime incorporated CONDITION: Vintage, Never Worn This stunning necklace, handmade by renowned Navajo artist Betty Yellowhorse, is made of sterling silver, turquoise stones, Liberty Mercury dimes, and shell heishi beads. The pendant includes four large turquoise stones with beautiful veining. The stones and coins are balanced to aesthetic perfection with handmade sterling silver ornamentation. Six silver beads are each hand made of two Liberty Mercury dimes which have been shaped into a dome and soldered together. The closure is a substantial hand made hook and eye clasp adorned by a 1939 Liberty Mercury dime. The dimes used in this necklace are dated between 1937 and 1945. The back of this necklace is stamped sterling silver, and bears Yellowhorse's hallmark proving its authenticity. Betty Yellowhorse is an accomplished silver smith, working in the rich Navajo tradition. She is known for incorporating beautiful old coins into her jewelry. Working with silver coins in jewelry is a practice which points to a time before the use of sheet silver and bezel wire, and so coin work taps the deepest roots of tradition in Navajo silver jewelry making. Betty Yellowhorse jewelry is imbued with the richness and beauty of this lineage, not only through traditional techniques and designs, but also by incorporating the long history held in such old coins. The Liberty Mercury dime is an interesting coin, and one popular among coin collectors. Due to its resemblance to the Roman god, it came to be called a "Mercury" dime, but the winged head actually symbolizes liberty, specifically "liberty of thought." These ten-cent pieces were produced between 1916 and 1945 by the United States Mint, and are composed of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. Designed by well-known sculptor and engraver, Adolph A. Weinman, the design was quite popular in its day, but the coin presented problems when used in vending machines, so the design was modified in 1945. Note that colors may vary according to each display monitor. This necklace would look fabulous paired with these earrings. Show more