The Nursery Rhyme: "Pop Goes the weasel" refers to pawning. A "weasel" is a shoemaker's tool and to "pop" is to pawn. "That's the way the money goes, pop goes the weasel."
 

 Pawnbroking is the oldest method of lending money.  Evidence of transactions date back to China as early as 2,000 - 3,000 years ago.  However, modern pawn broking became more distinguishable in the Middle Age.
 

A pawnbroker accepted Queen of Spain, Isabella of Castille's royal jewels as collateral to finance Christopher Columbus' expedition ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria for their voyage to America. 
 

The universal symbol of pawn broking is the three gold balls and is one of the most easily recognized in the world.  The Medici families in Italy along with the Lombards in England were money lenders in Europe.  Legend has it that one of the Medicis, under the employment of Emperor Charles the Great, fought a giant and slew him with three sacks of rocks.  The three gold balls or globes later became part of their family crest, and ultimately, the sign of pawn broking. 
 

 In 1971, Fashion designer Diane Von Furstenburg raised capital to launch her "wrap dress" business by pawning her diamond ring. 
 

Dec. 6, 1996, marked the first annual National Pawnbrokers Appreciation Day.   The chosen date of Dec. 6 was no accident - it's also St. Nicholas' day, the patron saint of pawn broking.
 

Between 70 and 80 percent of all items pawned are also redeemed.  Many shops that cater to a more "repeating" customer base, have redemption of over 90 percent.