Squash Blossom Necklace with US Standing Liberty Quarters as Blossoms [SOLD]

Twelve Standing Liberty quarters serve as the "blossoms" in this Diné squash blossom necklace. Over eleven million Standing Liberty quarters were only minted from 1916-1930 and are 90% silver and 10% copper. The twelve quarters in this necklace range in age from 1925-1930:

Four of year 1925

Two of year 1926

One of year 1927

Two of year 1929

Three of year 1930

They are attached to a double strand of small silver beads. Hanging from the beads is a cast naja that has been hand stamped. The naja has a small, rounded cabochon of blue-green turquoise with a golden matrix. The ends of the naja are shaped like small hands.

This necklace comes from a collection where the owner kept detailed records of his purchases. He indicated that this necklace was purchased in 1994 in Gallup, New Mexico. It is unknown if it was new when purchased, but the stamp of STERLING on the naja and the foxtail chain on which the beads are strung date it to the mid-twentieth century.

Condition: this Squash Blossom Necklace with US Standing Liberty Quarters as Blossoms is in excellent condition. 

Provenance: from the estate of Marvin and Betty Rubin, an Albuquerque couple who were avid collectors of Native American arts and crafts. 

Recommended Reading: The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Navajo, necklace