actually I wasn't steered into a false idea, I was just taking a wild guess based on what I saw listed on eBay and Etsy. I'm a complete neophyte to the bead world so I had nothing else to go on.

At any rate, I really do appreciate your insight and am happy for any identification. The necklace is from Saouth America, most likely Guatemala, so your telling me that these beads were common there makes complete sense, and the coins on the necklace have early to late 19c dates which is in keeping with your observation.

I suppose I could do a search of the site for the best book on beads recommendation, and/or I could simply ask, what do you recommend as the best book on the subject?

Thanks so much!

Mary