Pawnbrokers' Balls

The Lombarda were the first great money lenders; and of the Lombards, the princely Medici family of Florence were the first to make the lending of money a regular business; henee, ths loan offices carne to adopt the arms oí the Medici family on which were thre gilt balls. By some the origin of thesa balls is traced to the exploit of Averardo de Medici, a commander under Charlemagne. The bold warrior slew the giant, Mugello, whose club had three iron balls, which the family adopted as their coat of arms. Be this as it may, three balls are commemoratlve of the Medici family, who were the flrst pawnbrokers, as it were.