A pawnbroker accepted Queen of Spain, Isabella of Castille's royal jewels as collateral to finance Christopher Columbus' expedition ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria for their voyage to America. Queen Isabella's quote inscribed on the statue, "Columbus' Last Appeal to Queen Isabella," in the rotunda of the California State Capitol says: "I will assume the undertaking for my crown of Castille, and am ready to pawn my jewels to defray the expenses of it, if the funds in the treasure shall be found inadequate."
