Coppers

COPPERS were large pieces of hammered natural copper, symbolizing wealth and status to the FIRST NATIONS people of the coast. Shaped like shields and often decorated with designs significant to the owner, they were precious possessions that gained value each time ownership was transferred. The prestige of their history resulted in their ceremonial use. In a gesture of superiority, a person sometimes broke a copper and threw away a piece of it. Coppers carried names and were inherited or...

If you are already registered on KnowBC, login now to get access to the full article.

You may already have access to KnowBC through your school, university or library.

• Schools that subscribe to KnowBC
• Colleges and universities that subscribe to KnowBC
• Public libraries that subscribe to KnowBC

If you do not already have access to KnowBC, you can subscribe.