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

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Scrappy]

Killer find Don! I’ve been following but just can’t resist waiting for the conclusion any longer. For me it looks mid-19th century in style. Perhaps tourist made but items made for tourists back then were of a way different caliber. I saw some comments on the whereabouts of the scene - certainly mountainous.

I’ve seen a lot of finds over the years I’ve been in the hobby but this one is quite unique. What I like the best is members are shouting less “banner” and more “whaaaa!?” Certainly is one of t-nets “best of” and be a hot topic for quite some while. I’ll be eagerly reading the ID responses and crossing my fingers. I couldn’t be happier for you, and I really like to hear a career detectorists speak of his best find ever after so many years. It’s heart warming.

Congrats and all the best Don

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[IMAUDIGGER]

The VERY biggest issue is where it was found. Visits by important figures are recorded in modern history.
Contex/setting, ect.

Acid test, remove mounted glass, inspect cloth...too funny. I can totally see someone prying something off with a leatherman multi-tool.

 

[wagbert]

To the top with ye for all to see !!

 

[TreeFarm]

The cloth is probably a second class relic of some sort. Your local Roman Catholic or Byzantine priest would be a fine resource for something like this. It was not unknown for people to carry items that have been touched to a first class relic as well. Best of luck! Awesome find!

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Awesome find!

 

[devldog]

DB, Congrat's to you on a find that for most would truly be the find of a lifetime. Not just the fact that it is a beautiful gold ring, but for the History that is sure to go along with this piece. This ring has so many possibilities that goes along with it as to what this piece of cloth is and who the original owner of the ring was. As was already stated, I'm sure it was someone of stature. What a find. Please keep us posted on this as the mystery may begin to slowly unravel and reveal itself. Thanks for sharing this with us. Very interesting and the Best of Luck to you on getting this mystery solved.

 

[Doubter in MD]

I vote BANNER.

 

[basque-man]

Beautiful ring!!!!! Hopefully it can be repaired!!!!

 

[sutphin]

I WOULD TAKE A FIND LIKE THAT ANY DAY...

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Stellar find, no matter what it depicts (I do tend to agree it's something other then Turin as there's mountains in the backfround and the tower in the foreground also appears to be on a hill).


I hope you're able to move forward with researching the ring and solve the mystery, I bet it's a good one!

HH,
Cal

 

[Doubter in MD]

Hi Don. Have you had any luck trying to further research this ring? It's definitely one of the more unique things I've seen on this site. I'm surprised it hasn't made the Banner.

 

[Combat K]

Pretty darn interesting alright. I recently watched a history of the Shroud of Turin and it noted the Shroud in earlier times was open for inspection by the public. It was handled and groped back then but in recent years so closely monitored that only a 1 in by 1 in (or so) patch has been cut from it for carbon dating. Also, the edges (from which the patch was cut) of the Shroud seem to have been cut away (possibly from handling) and repaired with newer material. So who knows but a great find no matter what.

 

[ohiodigit]

This post makes me feel like I don’t want to see or read any other posts, so incredible to me!!! Congrats and go hard on the investigation. Some extremely brilliant minds on here will dive right in and already have. Thanks for sharing

 

[Doubter in MD]

Hi Don. I'm just checking back in to see if you have gotten any further info or even just conjecture regarding this ring. Its "cool factor" is over the top and it has really captured my interest.

I've googled around a little bit regarding the church pictured on the ring and I've read some things about relics and reliquary but so far I don't have much to add. From what I've read so far I'd say it's a good bet that this was worn by a Priest, Monsignor or possibly a Bishop.

 

[Sooper Dave]

That's one awesome ring! Big congrats on such a rare find!

 

[Rubka888]

This is so cool! What a great find. Man I hope you find out just what this is and give us an update

 

[reddirtwillie]

Yea that"s pretty incredible.

 

[Donnie B from VA]

That ring is, without a doubt, one of the most awesome finds I have ever seen! I have seen it up close and in person!

 

[svengali76]

DoninBrewster,

As everyone has stated, you have found an amazing relic that has all the intrigue of the buried letter from last year, the brilliance of high karat gold and the personal touch lost jewelry emits. We may never know for sure its purpose nor the importance it had to its wearer but I appreciate how we all feel the emotions tied to this relic lost long ago.

I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about when it comes to its origins (so forgive me if I offend) but I would like to submit a very, very loose theory to consider. If you found this ring in New York, maybe it could be a relic held by a loved one of Elmer Ellsworth. Elmer was the first soldier killed during the Civil War and was a close friend to Abraham Lincoln. He was killed for taking down a confederate flag and small pieces of the flag became prized collector's items to remember his death and the event that played a role in sparking the war. He was from New York and was buried in Mechanicville. I see you are from New York too but not sure if that is where you found it. Most people have said the ring looks like it was made in the mid 19th century which adds up. Just throwing spaghetti against the wall here. Once again, I love the mystery and thanks for sharing your find.

 

[The Urban Prospector]

Congratulations!