CTR ring while metal detecting.

[jnicholes]

I was metal detecting today, in my own yard. I dug this up after my detector went off and I stopped to investigate.

This is a CTR ring from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I happen to be a member, so this is a very interesting find to me.

I did some research on the Internet, and apparently similar vintage rings are usually made of sterling silver. I don’t know if this is what it’s made out of, though.

Regardless of what it’s made of, this is one of my best finds of 2025.

Please let me know what you think of it.

 

[jnicholes]

I just found a date on the back of the shield. This is definitely a very old ring. Here is a picture of the date that I found, I had to enhance the photo to see it.

 

[jnicholes]

OK, I had to use my mom‘s high-powered magnifier and my phones flashlight and I had to have my sister take this picture. It appears to be dated 1923.

 

[pepperj]

OK, I had to use my mom‘s high-powered magnifier and my phones flashlight and I had to have my sister take this picture. It appears to be dated 1923.

View attachment 2210596

The inside of the shield insignia is probably the maker of the ring.
It needs to be cleaned up so the first few letters can be read.
More than likely this number/date might also represent the design, or the possible date of the company's founding.

Here is some information regarding this type of ring.

The AI version




The CTR, standing for "Choose the Right," was first used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1970. The CTR symbol, a green shield with the letters "CTR" in the center, was introduced as part of the Primary curriculum and was used in conjunction with CTR rings given to children to help them remember the motto "Choose the Right". The CTR symbol and ring were officially announced by Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley.
In 1970, Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then serving as an Apostle for the Church, officially announced the new “CTR” curriculum in a Church-wide conference. It was to be implemented as a part of the doctrine being taught to children ages 6 and 7.

So you're ring is at least 55 years old.
Nice recovery 👍

 

[jnicholes]

The inside of the shield insignia is probably the maker of the ring.
It needs to be cleaned up so the first few letters can be read.
More than likely this number/date might also represent the design, or the possible date of the company's founding.

Here is some information regarding this type of ring.

View attachment 2210607
The AI version




The CTR, standing for "Choose the Right," was first used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1970. The CTR symbol, a green shield with the letters "CTR" in the center, was introduced as part of the Primary curriculum and was used in conjunction with CTR rings given to children to help them remember the motto "Choose the Right". The CTR symbol and ring were officially announced by Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley.
In 1970, Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then serving as an Apostle for the Church, officially announced the new “CTR” curriculum in a Church-wide conference. It was to be implemented as a part of the doctrine being taught to children ages 6 and 7.

So you're ring is at least 55 years old.
Nice recovery 👍

You know what’s funny? I’m a member of this church, and I didn’t know this. I thought CTR was around a lot longer. Didn’t know it started in the 70s.

Regardless, this is still a great recovery. Don’t know how old it is, or what it is made of, but it still a good recovery.

Thanks for educating me.

 

[pepperj]

You know what’s funny? I’m a member of this church, and I didn’t know this. I thought CTR was around a lot longer. Didn’t know it started in the 70s.

Regardless, this is still a great recovery. Don’t know how old it is, or what it is made of, but it still a good recovery.

Thanks for educating me.

I would say silver as the online sources in the resale market place all state sterling/or silver.
A little baking soda/water and a Qtip scrubbed around in the markers mark area might bring up more information.

How long has your family lived at the current home?
Could it have been given to another family member when they went to school/church as the online information claimed these rings were given to grade 6-7 students.

It was lost, and forgotten about. That or never mentioned as the child could of been embarrassed by loosing the ring.

 

[jnicholes]

I would say silver as the online sources in the resale market place all state sterling/or silver.
A little baking soda/water and a Qtip scrubbed around in the markers mark area might bring up more information.

How long has your family lived at the current home?
Could it have been given to another family member when they went to school/church as the online information claimed these rings were given to grade 6-7 students.

It was lost, and forgotten about. That or never mentioned as the child could of been embarrassed by loosing the ring.

You educated me, now I’m gonna educate you about my houses history.

My house was once a church. It was specifically a church for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. On November 1, 1964, Howard W Hunter of the quorum of the 12 apostles came and dedicated the building. During the 1980s, the building was sold to a school because a more up-to-date church building was built.

After that, it belonged to 3 other people, and now my family.

That’s all I can say at present time. I’ll post more as needed.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A real nice looking Ring - congrats !

 

[jnicholes]

OK, so I use the baking soda and water and the Q-tip to clean it. This is what I got.

It has the same color and feel as the silver coins that I’ve collected. I’m almost 100% certain it’s silver.

Here’s a comparison picture with a silver coin.

On the back of the shield, I can make out the numbers 925, the letters CCO, as well as a copyright symbol.

That’s all I got.

 

[Red-Coat]

The ring is from the Coleman Company of Rapid City, South Dakota, founded in 1984. They used the letters ‘CCO’ with ‘925’ and a copyright symbol until the mark expired in 2019 after failure to renew. Like this:

 

[jnicholes]

The ring is from the Coleman Company of Rapid City, South Dakota, founded in 1984. They used the letters ‘CCO’ with ‘925’ and a copyright symbol until the mark expired in 2019 after failure to renew. Like this:

View attachment 2210630

Well, that solves that. I guess this ring is not as old as I thought it was.

Oh well, it’s still a great find!

 

[pepperj]

Well, that solves that. I guess this ring is not as old as I thought it was.

Oh well, it’s still a great find!

.925 is your sterling silver mark.

 

[pepperj]

You educated me, now I’m gonna educate you about my houses history.

My house was once a church. It was specifically a church for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. On November 1, 1964, Howard W Hunter of the quorum of the 12 apostles came and dedicated the building. During the 1980s, the building was sold to a school because a more up-to-date church building was built.

After that, it belonged to 3 other people, and now my family.

That’s all I can say at present time. I’ll post more as needed.

So the ring was lost during the time 1970-1980s when it was sold.
Now you know a bit of the history behind the ring.
That's usually a lot more than most ring recoveries.

 

[jnicholes]

.925 is your sterling silver mark.

Do you know what that means? Technically, this is the first piece of silver I ever found metal detecting! Man, that makes me happy!

 

[Red-Coat]

So the ring was lost during the time 1970-1980s when it was sold.
Now you know a bit of the history behind the ring.
That's usually a lot more than most ring recoveries.

It's no older than 1984 when Coleman was founded, and likely no older than 1990 when they registered the mark.

 

[jnicholes]

It's no older than 1984 when Coleman was founded, and likely no older than 1990 when they registered the mark.

I think I know what happened, then. As I said before, this was once a church where I live. After that, It belonged to a school. I bet you a kid lost it while this was a school, and it eventually got buried. I bet you it happened during a recess.

 

[artman60]

Silver is ALWAYS good! Congrats!

 

[Digger RJ]

I just found a date on the back of the shield. This is definitely a very old ring. Here is a picture of the date that I found, I had to enhance the photo to see it.

View attachment 2210595

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[oldmxrat]

Real nice find, congrats!
I've found a couple of silver CTR rings in Reno.