Mercury Dime Squash Blossom Necklace, 24.5", Navajo

A Navajo silversmith created this squash blossom necklace incorporating Mercury dimes — silver 10-cent coins minted from 1916 to 1945 and made from 90% silver — into the necklace construction. The practice of incorporating American silver coins into Navajo jewelry dates to the late 19th century, when Navajo smiths melted down Mexican and American coins as a silver source. This necklace uses the coins as decorative elements rather than melt stock, preserving their numismatic character. Available exclusively through Turquoise Mustang.