Many pawn shops display the traditional 'three spheres' symbol outside their doors or on their websites. But do you know where this symbol originated?

The use of symbols for shops dates back to a time in Europe when most people were unable to read or write. Instead, the common folk would rely on iconic symbology for shop identification. Over time, the use of these symbols carried over and many are still in use today, such as the use of a cross to indicate a hospital, or a red & white pole for a barber shop.

The 'three spheres' (or 'three balls') symbol associated with pawn shops typically traces back to the wealthy Medici family in medieval Italy. The House of Medici gained their wealth through commerce and banking, and was centered in Florence, Italy in the province of Lombard. The Medici family crest included golden circles (said to represent Byzantine coins) on a sable field.

Over time, these coins -- later spheres -- were displayed in front of 'pawn' shops where peasants could exchange goods for money, often the only type of banking available to them. These shops were also known throughout Europe as 'Lombards', and in fact Lombard Street in London -- dating back to medieval times -- was the city's center for its merchant, banking, and insurance industries.

And did you know that the patron saint of pawn shops is St. Nicholas? Yes, 'that' Saint Nick! Legend has it that the good Saint gave a poor man three bags of gold, during a time of great financial hardship, so that each of his three daughters could be married. Sadly, we have no bags of gold to give away here at Family 1st Pawn, but we love to be of service to our community!