Found a Trade Ring - looking for info

[Steve in PA]

I found the trade ring (what's left of it) at the site of a trading post in Ohio that was in operation from 1769 to 1782. The site also saw US military occupation in the 1790s and again during the War of 1812.
I can see it has a little snake and the letters D I. The snake obviously has significance to Native Americans, but I'm wondering what significance, if any, do the letters have?

Thanks for looking!

 

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[Terry Soloman]

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[pepperj]

I'm not sure but there's lot of Jesuit ring styles in images and info on this link.
I see LI but I'm using the phone, so limited.

 

[pepperj]

IHS is the symbol for Jesus
The snake is actually the S
The H is 2 symbols with the curve.
Looking at ring styles they weren't the greatest at the script neatness.
Awesome recovery 👏

 

[smokeythecat]

Very awesome recovery. Again, as stated, probably a Jesuit trade ring. Many, many styles occur. I'll bet there is book about them in print somewhere.

 

[Steve in PA]

I'm not sure but there's lot of Jesuit ring styles in images and info on this link.
I see LI but I'm using the phone, so limited.
View attachment 2024164

Thanks PepperJ. I also found that image online.

 

[Steve in PA]

IHS is the symbol for Jesus
The snake is actually the S
The H is 2 symbols with the curve.
Looking at ring styles they weren't the greatest at the script neatness.
Awesome recovery 👏

If you look closely at the "snake", the left side appears to be a head with an open mouth. At least that's what I see

 

[Steve in PA]

Banner Vote Here!

Thanks Terry

 

[ARC]

Leave it me to always throw the proverbial "monkey wrench" into the scene...

"ICI"... and perhaps a merchant ring.... but ?

 

[Steve in PA]

Leave it me to always throw the proverbial "monkey wrench" into the scene...

"ICI"... and perhaps a merchant ring.... but ?

Definitely a trade ring. It has the same characteristics of many that are in books and online. Look at the zig zag lettering style on mine and on D in this group.

 

[ARC]

IHS is the symbol for Jesus
The snake is actually the S
The H is 2 symbols with the curve.
Looking at ring styles they weren't the greatest at the script neatness.
Awesome recovery 👏

IHS = Isus Hominis Salvator... "Jesus Savior of Mankind."

 

[Steve in PA]

Update: Turns out "Domine Iesu" means "Lord Jesus" in Latin, which probably explains the letters DI.