Need Help!!!! Ring found potential to be historic???

[Sharkbait956]

Please help shed some light on my recent find while snorkeling with a metal detector in the BVI. I have found several Spanish Cobbs in this same location because it was a pirate hotspot back in the day... My last find was a 1654 Barcelona Abrite(sp)

Today's ring is unknown material, has crosses all around...

For starters I am well aware that this is potentially a $5 ring from a gas station! However, the location I found it along with my previous finds in the same location some dating back to 1654 leads me to ask questions! Another reason is that the crosses are not uniformed which makes me believe it was hand made... As well as the style of the crosses more commonly used in older things... Please help shed some light on the situation

 

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[joeyfresh]

You can't tell if it's brass or silver? I'd love to see some of your other finds.

 

[Sharkbait956]

 

[ScubaDetector]

I never get my hopes up when I find anything. Do you know what metal it is made from? If not, the first thing I would do is to find out from a local jeweler. The iron cross was made popular by Germany. It does have a history but not as old as the Maltese cross. The iron cross goes back to 1813 if my reading is right.

 

[joeyfresh]

Looks brass and I put a date range anywhere between the 16th century and the 21st century[emoji3]. Cool find nonetheless and good luck narrowing down the history on it.

 

[CASPER-2]

it looks like a newer ring design -if silver it would have been super caked if it was real old ...still a nice find

 

[BARKER]

Hi; It is no gas station ring. I believe it is a LOT older than that. Reason is that the Crosses are not uniform. If it was modern the crosses would be uniform. Second is that the design of the ring being Crosses across the entire ring denote Devotion to the Church. This was a common theme during the 16 - 1700's ok. This practice in the design basically faded out by about 1870 after the Civil War. It was not common even then. Hence with this said I suggest a date of the 1700's. NOW: We "NEED" to know the metal composition. Second is you need to know what Process really was used to make this ring. The best way to find this out is to contact a local Universities Archaeology Dept. Have them do some tests. They will come back with a definitive Date, Composition & History behind the ring ok. Good Luck. PEACE:RONB

Be sure to Post the results ok.

 

[Sharkbait956]

Wow what an informative reply, and thank you for that! I will look into finding out ring make-up in the future... Still on the boat in the Virgin Islands haha

Thank you again!

 

[Sharkbait956]

I have it soaking in vining right now to try and get it cleaned up a little more... If this is super bad please let me know and I'll take it out right away

 

[mcl]

I have it soaking in vining right now to try and get it cleaned up a little more... If this is super bad please let me know and I'll take it out right away

OUT OUT OUT

Edit: Also, while anytime you have reason to suspect something is historic you should get it checked out, there are modern examples of this kind of ring, e.g.:

 

[kcm]

Yes, never get your hopes up. ...It hurts when they fall back to Earth! ...But then when the real deal does come along, having the final proof....well, that's cause for celebration!!

I agree with ScubaDetector - take it to a jeweler for identification, even if only of the metal.

What condition was the ring in when you found it??

 

[trapperart]

Congrats and good luck

 

[relic lover]

I don't think those are Maltese crosses because the bottom is longer than the rest I think the Maltese is uniform in length on all sides is it not?

 

[Sharkbait956]

Yes, never get your hopes up. ...It hurts when they fall back to Earth! ...But then when the real deal does come along, having the final proof....well, that's cause for celebration!!

I agree with ScubaDetector - take it to a jeweler for identification, even if only of the metal.

What condition was the ring in when you found it??

The ring was tarnished and black caked more so on the inside of the ring... The pictures are after soaking in 50/50 vinegar water solution and being wiped down... This is just how I've cleaned tarnished silver coins I've found in the ocean in the past... I'm sure that's not the way to go about it but I'm on a boat with no resources...

 

[highnam]

Finger-crossed, it's old....

 

[kcm]

Silver ring.....cool!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Looks modern school project to me.

 

[BARKER]

Hi; I agree there are Modern versions of your ring BUUUUTTT they would be UNIFORM in size and spacing. Also Brass would NOT have been used to have a Cross design on it as that would have constituted disrespect to the Church & God. Remember that the View & Power of the Church was MUCH more significant then than it is now. Such an act would have been met with SEVERE consequences. It was just not done. Hence it would have been Silver which fits with the black crusting you said was on the ring. The black is silver oxide.
I also believe that the method used to create that ring will definitively put a Date on it. They used much different methods back then than they do today. Today it is a "cookie cutter" approach to everything. Back then EVERYTHING was done by hand ok. That is why I suggest taking it to a University Archaeology Dept. Lastly, They did not use .925 rather they used HallMarks to denote Silver ok. If I'm wrong then you are out nothing. If I'm right you hit the jackpot. I'm dying to see the end results good or bad ok. PEACE:RONB

 

[screwynewy]

I'm giving this thread a bump and hoping someone can provide more information on the history of this ring. Maybe the finder can have it checked out when he gets off the boat.

 

[WildWildBill]

How come you never posted these great finds? We'd like to see that OTHER ring too!