Most amazing find in 38 years detecting.....and it's GOLD!

[doninbrewster]

I've been detecting for more than 38 years and even though I've found a gold coin, kettle points, Fugio, CT, VT, NJ coppers and a whole lot more, this easily ranks as my most interesting find ever. It's not just a gold ring, but a very interesting one. You see, the building that is engraved on the top is the Cathedral of Turin. That's not even the interesting part. The ring opens up. Inside, underneath a small piece of glass is a piece of fabric. Could it be a piece of the Shroud of Turin? I keep thinking about it and I can't figure out what else it might be. The ring was found about 5 inches down, not far from and at the same depth as an Indian head penny. My guess is it's been there for at least 100 years, but the ring itself could be much older. The side detail also looks like it was hand engraved, not just a casting. Like I said, I've found some great stuff over the years, but nothing compares to this. Thoughts?





Cathedral of Turin

 

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[doninbrewster]

I respect your opinion and it's good for discussion to have differences, but I don't think if it was a ring designed for something of that importance it would be based on memory. I'm an artist myself and if I was commissioned for a piece of that magnitude, I would do lots of preliminary sketches of the buildings beforehand. That would be even more the case if it was pre-photography and they would strive for accuracy. This could still be an amazing find and could be a part of a cardinal's clothing or something similar. I'm just a stickler for facts is all and even though we may have different opinions, I still think it's a great find and hope you can get some kind of positive I.D.. That's why I mentioned I would search other buildings, as you might find an exact match and that in turn could lead to the exact person that wore this ring.

Thanks for your comments. Although it would be great if it was a piece of the shroud or one of the pieces from the many repairs, the goal is to determine what it is. The fabric could be a piece of the shroud, but in reality that's not really likely. It could be a piece of one of the patches from the shroud. It could also be a piece from clothing worn by someone who was sainted, beatified or anything. I'm going to make every effort to figure out what it is and I'm open to discussion. Every day you learn something is a good day. As far as the building pictured on the ring, I'm convinced it is the Cathedral of Turin. I've gone through hundreds of photos trying to find something similar and could not. There could be variations as the tower was built in 1468 and the church 1491-1498. If anyone comes up with anything different I would be glad to look at it, but at this point I'm sticking with the Turin Cathedral. I welcome anyone's input. Regardless, I think the title of my post is quite accurate, Interesting Find.

 

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[Trezurehunter]

Sure I have a thought. I think its an amazing find !

 

[terpfan]

Don, this is a fantastic find and is likely quite old. I don't believe, however, that the buildings shown are from the Cathedral of Turin. I believe it is some other landmark. I say that with no disrespect, because it's a beautiful piece and I'm dying to learn its identity. Why not Turin? First off, there are the obvious architectural differences in the buildings. More importantly in my view, in the ring the bell tower appears to be in front of the cathedral. In reality, the front facades of the two buildings are basically in the same plane (and the bell tower is to the left). Also it appears that the right side of the cathedral is visible, but not so with the bell tower. Since in real life the two buildings are square with one another, one would expect to see the right side of both buildings (or of neither building). Was this simply the artistic license of the engraver? Maybe. But I'm not convinced. Still an amazing find, congrats. Steve

 

[Steve in PA]

Wow! That is amazing Don!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I'm not a religious person, but I have a friend who knows a thing or two about holy relics. All of the relics she has seen in her 77 years were sealed with red wax and have a thread in the wax. She also doesn't recall ever seeing one that was a ring, though. They are usually pendants or boxes. Just my take on it...

 

[CRUSADER]

This is Cru'dads thoughts, although its not an exact match I do think he is getting closer. MORE RESEARCH is needed, to ID the place;

'' Here is something closer to the Gold Ring and church rather than Turin Cathedral – A monastic type building in a mountain/Hilly area.

Monastery in the Italian Alps - Photograph at lynnandrewsphotography.com

Turin Cathedral is in a square within a flat area of Turin – nothing on the sky line as per the ring picture.''

 

[Ahab8]

Well Don I have no clue what the ring depicts, how old it is or what the cloth is. What I do know is that it’s high karat gold, not modern and incredibly detailed by a very skilled human being. Coming from a guy who’s only found one piece of natural gold I would be over the moon to say the least. It’s certainly BANNER worthy to me and I hope this mystery gets solved so I can learn something new. Great job bud

 

[park pirate]

Wow sweet old ring man that's awesome congrats....

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Has anyone noticed that the piece of material looks like a profile? Maybe Jesus? Or, am I imagining things.

This could be the answer here. It may be Jesus or it may be a profile of someone's girlfriend or wife placed under glass. It could also have been a portrait of that person that has washed away over time.

This one doesn't have a lid, but you get the idea:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-English-Miniature-Portrait-18k-Gold-Ring-in-Box-/183054523529?hash=item2a9ee65c89%3Ag%3AyLcAAOSwJcZWcLjD&nma=true&si=D0X9B8DfcZq2%252BWifV5qnFNctl%252Fg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[fongu]

wonderful find and unique ring. wtg....

 

[washingtonian]

Dang this is awesome. What a cool find. Thanks for sharing Don and I hope you're able to solve the riddle!

 

[neodetectorist]

If that is a piece of the Shroud of Turin.....and it can be authenticated, That is a sacred museum piece.
This could have been owned by a Bishop, Arch Bishop or Cardinal in the Catholic church. Probably blessed by the Pope at the time.
That is amazing.
Definitely banner in my book.

 

[terpfan]

I was wondering about the skyline as well. It almost looks like there are mountains to the left of the bell tower. Here is another example with similarities, but its still not quite a match.

Surreal Places: the old bell tower of submerged Curon - Weird Italy

 

[CRUSADER]

I was wondering about the skyline as well. It almost looks like there are mountains to the left of the bell tower. Here is another example with similarities, but its still not quite a match.

Surreal Places: the old bell tower of submerged Curon - Weird Italy

Exactly it's in a bunch of mountains.

 

[DownNDirty]

I'm sorry but I really don't see the resemblance to the Cathedral of Turin. The buildings are structurally different, and as just noted there is a mountain or at least a large hill to the left. I agree that if it were a piece of the shroud it would be a monumental find but the scene just doesn't fit. And there are no makers marks or inscriptions on the inside of the ring? I would think any jeweler who was to make such a significant and holy ring would have at least put his mark on the ring. Just my opinion.

But all that aside it is a very good find regardless of what is depicted on the ring-congratulations

 

[gordonquixote]

Doubt it is the Cathedral of Turin depicted but it's a super cool ring!

 

[IDXMonster]

That is the reason we detect,for the chance at finding something that is genuine treasure. IMO that ring has a really high chance of being something that falls into that category. There are a few angles to that which make for a real “whodunnit” type experience...figuring out where it came from,whose it was and what is the actual piece of cloth? Banner all day long,you have my nom. STUPENDOUS find!!!

 

[patiodadio]

Wow ! That's incredible !!!! Fantastic find !

 

[Silvermonkey]

What a fascinating find. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[jerr-man]

What a GREAT FIND, Congratulations and Thanks for sharing.