Originally Posted by
Artemis97
"I do have one thing." Renault says, "It isn't finished, and I've been working on it for a long time, but you may find it interesting." He reaches into his bag and pulls out a wooden box. He unclasps the lid turns it so Gudrun can see. Inside is a golden necklace, made of many rows of fine chain. Each row has golden baubles hanging from it. Many are simply gold coins, but others are animal shapes, wrought in fine detail, cows, horses, chickens, pigs. There's also sheafs of wheat and corn, bolts of cloth, trees and fruits, building materials, even tiny pots and pans. Some of the chains at the bottom were only partially full.
"It's a dower necklace, given to a bride on her wedding day. It's a gift that proves her husband can provide for her, an insurance in case he should die. Each piece represents a good or service for which it can be exchanged. Apart from the coins, each charm has to be marked by a government official, to ensure it's value." He rolls over one of the cows, showing a stamp on the back side, with a number. "That's the price of a good cow."