They lent notes redeemable in gold, bearing interest.

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She wears a gold necklace bearing four lockets -- a heart for love, a cross for her Christian faith, a sand dollar for her fondness of the beach and an eye to ward off evil.

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James I, the Scotsman who reigned while Shakespeare wrote many of his masterpieces, including "Macbeth, " is portrayed in the Lyte Jewel, an enameled gold locket bearing on its cover (reversed at left) the royal monogram IR, for the Latin Jacobus Rex.

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In normal times the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold, instead of interest-bearing bank deposits or government bonds, is high.

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The gold ring has an amethyst stone bearing a burning bush and St Andrew's cross with the motto "Nec Tamen Consumebatur".

BBC: Ring