The pawnbroker symbol is made up of a trio of gold spheres suspended from a bar. It is a widely recognised symbol of pawnbroking, but the theories around its origins are a little varied. The first theory comes from the Italian province of Lombardy. It is a place synonymous with pawnbroking since bankers in the region invented the pawnbroking business model. Lombard merchants are said to have hung three gold spheres outside their homes, though it was recently discovered that they were actually gold coins. Nevertheless, the spheres have remained the pawnbroking symbol. The second theory is that the symbol represents the Medici family, whose history has deep ties to banking. They were affluent Florence-based bankers who supported many architects and artists by lending money, and as their business grew some other banking businesses adopted the family's coat of arms: the three gold balls. The final theory is that the symbol represents Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of pawnbroking. The three gold spheres are believed to represent three gold bags given by Saint Nicholas to an old man, who needed help for his daughters to gain financial means and become more attractive for potential husbands. The three bags of gold are represented as the three spheres we see on pawnbrokers' storefronts. The real origin of the symbol cannot be known for sure, but it is clearly deeply tied up in the history of pawnbroking. In any case, it is widely recognised today, and you will see it hanging above the door at New Bond Street Pawnbrokers.