Express Pawn, Inc.

3205 East Nettleton Avenue

Jonesboro, AR  72401

(870) 931-6000

History Of The Pawning Business

Pawn Broking is one of mankind's oldest financial institutions that is rich with history.  Pawn broking can be traced back at least 3,000 years to ancient China, and has been found in the earliest written histories of the Greek and Roman civilizations.  During the Middle Ages, certain usury laws imposed by the Catholic Church prohibited the charging of interest on loans, thus limiting pawn broking to people who had religious beliefs outside of the Catholic Church.  Out of economic necessity, and because of problems in the banking system, pawnbrokers made resurgence in later years.  The House of The Lombards operated pawnshops throughout Europe.  They even counted royalty, such as King Edward III of England, among their clientele during the 14th century.

Interesting Facts:

•  When Christopher Columbus approached Queen Isabella of Spain about securing funds for his voyage, she was prepared to pawn her crown jewels in order to provide him with the necessary finances.  However, the Spanish government agreed to finance Columbus and his voyage.

• The nursery rhyme, "Pop Goes the Weasel" refers to pawning.  A weasel is the tool of a shoemaker and to "pop" is to pawn.  So, as the money goes, "Pop goes the weasel."