OK; Were Lead (Pb) Class Rings Ever Made?

[ajaj]

Hunted a middle school nearby where I have found mostly 20th century coins; couple of silvers and Wheats, but a lot of modern clad and jewelry. Dug this ring which is very heavy and not silver or gold (or magnetic). Its got the shape of a class ring, and "High School" can be just barely read at the bottom of the red stone. The words that could be a high school are really worn, and I can just make out [ock]ton above. I believe the metal is lead. Is this a high school ring knock-off, or did they make lead class rings for folks who could not afford silver or gold. My GUESS is its from the 50s. Thanks.

aj

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

It was probably gilt pot metal originally. It's a tin alloy that would be a little harder than lead but about as conductive.

 

[coinman123]

Hunted a middle school nearby where I have found mostly 20th century coins; couple of silvers and Wheats, but a lot of modern clad and jewelry. Dug this ring which is very heavy and not silver or gold (or magnetic). Its got the shape of a class ring, and "High School" can be just barely read at the bottom of the red stone. The words that could be a high school are really worn, and I can just make out [ock]ton above. I believe the metal is lead. Is this a View attachment 1151512View attachment 1151513View attachment 1151514View attachment 1151515View attachment 1151516View attachment 1151517high school ring knock-off, or did they make lead class rings for folks who could not afford silver or gold. My GUESS is its from the 50s. Thanks.

aj

Holy Carp!!!! I found the exact same ring two years ago, it was even broken in a similar place.
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/437578-ring-id.html
I'm was almost sure the one I found was lead too. I'm very interested in this topic.

 

[ajaj]

Holy Carp indeed...I can't believe the similarity! Mine definitely states "High School" on the lower half below the stone. Cannot make out all of the text above.

Charlie P. (NY): would gilt pot metal be as dense as lead? This half ring is very heavy.

aj

 

[coinman123]

Holy Carp indeed...I can't believe the similarity! Mine definitely states "High School" on the lower half below the stone. Cannot make out all of the text above.

Charlie P. (NY): would gilt pot metal be as dense as lead? This half ring is very heavy.

aj

I guess some pot metal can be very dense too though. The one I found is as dense as lead but has the patina of some kind of pot metal. Probably gilded pot metal, I have to admit though, the one I found feels like lead though

I clearly see "High School" on the one I found too, I can not see anything on top though. After handling it more I'm thinking heavy pot metal.
Here's a new photo of the one I found:


I'm pretty sure it's mass produced, I found mine in NH.

 

[coinman123]

I think I found something similar on here:


It says 1930's, it looks almost identical.

 

[trdking]

It was probably gilt pot metal originally. It's a tin alloy that would be a little harder than lead but about as conductive.

I agree and pot metal would not give the wearer lead poisoning.

I am sure the pot metal ring was the last resort for a poor kid whos parents could'nt step up. I never bought mine. Most of the kids where I grew up couldn't afford them so I shined it off