🥇 BANNER Gold Ring With Eagle On It

[gigmaster]

Had a great metal detecting adventure yesterday! I found civil war bullets, colonial buckles and buttons but the main find was a gold ring with an eagle on it! I have not been able to find a similar ring anywhere. I believe it is a military ring since it has the eagle with what appears to be an olive branch in his mouth. What I thought were scratches on the back appears to be some sort of makers mark or symbols? If you figure it out let me know! video here

 

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[orange_sweetheart]

You might shoot a pic or 2 to Heritage Auctions for their assessment (no cost). I've dealt with them several times before here in Dallas, and they are great -- very expert, professional and knowledgeable but friendly. They auctioned a painting for me once, and have also done several other valuations of various kinds. Be sure and mention if you found it around a known camp or battle site. Maybe it belonged to ol' George himself. Just a thought, and congrats again!

 

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[gigmaster]

You've been hot this summer Steve, but you really outdid yourself this time. I can't wait to find out what the ring's true identify and age is. It certainly looks colonial, but those marks on the back are very strange and ones I've never seen before. Hope you can find someone knowledgeable to help come up with an accurate ID. Amazing man!!

Thanks Bill! I hope the horseshoe stays in place. I have surely had some good luck this summer! My guardian angel is doing a good job!

 

[gigmaster]

Killer find. Congratulations!

It's not an eagle. It's a french cock ring. OK that came out a little weird. Let me start again.

The French national animal is a fighting rooster (Coq Gaulois). The ring appears to be stamp work and probably is colonial period. It doesn't appear to be made for sale in France because there is no Makers Mark in a triangle. It was probably made for export.

The Coq Gaulois is found all through French history. Their coins, stamps and medals often have that rowdy rooster on the face:

View attachment 1472712

View attachment 1472715

Here's a painting of a Coq Gaulois killing a German Eagle:

View attachment 1472714

The fact that it's not an American eagle doesn't diminish the find but it probably does reflect a lower sales value.

If it was a fighting rooster I would think mine would have a cone on his head (mine looks bald)? also the tail feathers look more like an eagle than a rooster to me?? The jury is still out!

 

[gigmaster]

You might shoot a pic or 2 to Heritage Auctions for their assessment (no cost). I've dealt with them several times before here in Dallas, and they are great -- very expert, professional and knowledgeable but friendly. They auctioned a painting for me once, and have also done several other valuations of various kinds. Be sure and mention if you found it around a known camp or battle site. Maybe it belonged to ol' George himself. Just a thought, and congrats again!

done!

 

[LoganFlame]

Super finds!

 

[Calabash Digger]

very nice find! congrats on the find of a life time.

 

[smokeythecat]

Most excellent find. It's purpose was a wax seal, probably a family seal. Great save.

 

[luke_00]

AMAZING!!!! Congrats!!!

 

[1637]

i think what makes it cooler,is no id yet.keep us posted.
brad

 

[CRUSADER]

Most excellent find. It's purpose was a wax seal, probably a family seal. Great save.

Yeap, no doubt it is meant to be a family crest. Similar (But no-where close to a match) of a Livery button from the 19th C, see Foxwell;
https://sites.google.com/site/liverybuttonsidentified/home/birds

 

[Stef45]

My question would be why is the bird situated on the ring that way? Like on its side when the ring is on a finger. Are wax seal rings meant to just be taken off for use as a seal? Still can't believe this find tho...real treasure!

 

[Silvermonkey]

There's very little I can add to the conversation at this point, except to extend my heartfelt congratulations! This is a monumental find, and obviously Banner worthy. Hopefully you will be able to uncover the ring's history.

 

[joeyfresh]

Awesome find Steve. You've motivated me to hit the rivers hard but I doubt I'll find something as awesome as that.

 

[screwynewy]

Big congrats on this find a lifetime. Definitely deserving of being on the banner. I've enjoyed watching your videos and love your enthusiasm and positive attitude. I bet you're a blast to hang out with! I'll be following this thread in hopes of seeing more information about this amazing gold ring.

 

[trdking]

My question would be why is the bird situated on the ring that way? Like on its side when the ring is on a finger. Are wax seal rings meant to just be taken off for use as a seal? Still can't believe this find tho...real treasure!

Seal rings were often left on the hand when in use. The position makes sense if you simulate a seal while wearing it much more natural feel being sideways on the ring IMO

 

[huntsman53]

I apologize to the O.P. for not noticing this Thread earlier! I just didn't get excited over a title saying "Gold Ring With Eagle On It".

Let me say what an amazing and likely, extremely rare find you have found. I am sure that it is an Eagle depicted on the ring and the Eagle is holding an Olive Branch in it's mouth. It is likely a Wax Seal Ring of significance. I would not be surprised to find out that the ring has a direct relationship to the founding of this Country and was owned and may have been used by someone that had a hand in the forming of this Nation. Who knows, they may have even signed the Declaration of Independence. Besides Heritage Auctions, I would recommend contacting the Smithsonian Museum and any authorities on Revolutionary War period artifacts.


Frank

 

[trdking]

Just saw this. WOW what a find. Watched the video and saw the hallmarks. Silver gets the hallmark award for centuries but early USA Gold hallmarks are kind of rare I think? I have never seen these marks thats for sure! Awesome. Hope someone chimes in or Heritage answers. Im very curious.

 

[trdking]

I apologize to the O.P. for not noticing this Thread earlier! I just didn't get excited over a title saying "Gold Ring With Eagle On It".

Let me say what an amazing and likely, extremely rare find you have found. I am sure that it is an Eagle depicted on the ring and the Eagle is holding an Olive Branch in it's mouth. It is likely a Wax Seal Ring of significance. I would not be surprised to find out that the ring has a direct relationship to the founding of this Country and was owned and used by someone that had a hand in the forming of this Nation and that they may have signed the Declaration of Independence. Besides Heritage Auctions, I would recommend contacting the Smithsonian Museum and any authorities on Revolutionary War period artifacts.


Frank

I agree, this is definitely significant and if Heritage can't help you I would definitely pursue other avenues above.

 

[orange_sweetheart]

Dang! -- The Smithsonian is a great idea -- I hadn't even thought of that. THEY would know, for sure.

 

[trdking]

Dang! -- The Smithsonian is a great idea -- I hadn't even thought of that. THEY would know, for sure.

The problem with the Smith is getting their attention. If it is not significant they will not respond or take a year to do it. Heritage as mentioned above is Lickety split either way. The experts on the Antiques roadshow. (The list is on the roadshow site) are also genuinely excited to do research and share opinions.