ancient Roman rings

[majorcvs]

Guaranteed these bronze rings were made in ancient times? No, but most likely since not one of these rings is perfectly round and each has a flaw of one kind or another. Hopefully not made by some little Chinaman in his backyard shop (as I've been told). The second ring on the left in Lot #3 is silver and was worn by someone of importance, most likely a Legion Officer. I bought these rings in 'cleaned' condition in a size which fits my little finger enabling me to wear them.

I realize once cleaned their value is zilch. No matter as I wear one each and every single day and have been for many years. How much closer can you get to those ancient times and to the man who last wore one of these rings? In those days Roman Legionaires, Celt Warriors and other tribesmen lived for 'Wine, Women & Song'; their lives oft curtailed in battle.

Tell me, are you going to carry an ancient Roman coin in your pocket for years? Better to wear a ring on your finger. No?

* Not sure if your program can do this but if you double click on each of the pics you can see a real close-up of the rings. Notice that there is still a hint of patina on some of them.  

[Lloyd]

... Tell me, are you going to carry an ancient Roman coin in your pocket for years? EZ  

Many do....  http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=65853.0

I leave others to comment on the rings but be aware that there are plenty of fake roman rings are out there e.g. http://www.forgerynetwork.com/asset.aspx?id=eStgj0~x~9vBs=
http://www.forgerynetwork.com/asset.aspx?id=rwHTQu3WHQA=
and the design motifs of most of those posted leave me a little uncertain as to the Roman origin.

[benito]

Why a chinaman ?. Much nearer. The Balkans.

[areich]

I seriously doubt these are genuine.

[Lloyd]

  Happy New Year and Hogmanay all. I'm off for a wee dram or three.  Talk again next year! Have fun in the meantime. 

[Lloyd]

Guaranteed these rings were made in ancient times? No, but most likely. Hopefully not made by some little Chinaman in his backyard shop (as I've been told). The second ring on the left in Lot #3 is silver and was worn by someone of importance, most likely a Legion Officer. I've bought these rings in 'cleaned' condition so I can wear them. I realize once cleaned their value is zilch. No matter to me as I wear one each and every single day and have been for many years. How much closer can you get to those ancient times and to the man who last wore it? Tell me, are you going to carry an ancient Roman coin in your pocket for years? EZ  

Well it's now 2012 (at least where I am) so back to the topic at hand (so to speak  ) .....

Doesn't it seem strange that all twelve rings are of the one size that fits your finger?

Ancient Romans came in different sizes and the evidence from bone analysis is that they were in general of smaller stature than the average westerner today, so I find it remarkable that twelve  ancient Roman rings are of uniform size, consistent with the diameter of a single individual modern westerner's finger.

[Jay GT4]

They all look very modern to my eyes too, especially the design motifs.

I've shown this before but here is an ancient intaglio that I had put into a modern setting and one that is loose with it's original ring:

 

[majorcvs]

You shouldn't let your imagination run away with you Lloyd thinking that they all fit my size 13 ring finger. They were all bought over the years at the only size I could get which fits my pinky - between size 8 and 9 U.S. Only 2 are a size 13 (1 is Roman; the other is the Norseman ring). Furthermore, nobody should make any calls when they are only guessing especially after admitting that they know not. I knew that several of my coins were fakes when I bought them 2 weeks ago but bought them for the fun of it and listed here to get the feel of the way coins are listed on this website and where additional opinions are welcome.

[Jay GT4]

Well, i guess I jinxed it.  My intaglio of Mars fell out tonight at a restaurant...can't find it.  That's the second 2000 year old item I've lost...

[majorcvs]

So sorry about your intaglio. I'm sure it meant a lot to you. Hope it's not the one you showed above. I've misplaced a nice Widow's Mite in the house and can't find it. I hope it didn't fall in the wastebasket. I ordered 2 and 1 came in today. The other is from Israel where they probably still stamp them out by the thousands.

[Jay GT4]

So sorry about your intaglio. I'm sure it meant a lot to you. Hope it's not the one you showed above. I've misplaced a nice Widow's Mite in the house and can't find it. I hope it didn't fall in the wastebasket. I ordered 2 and 1 came in today. The other is from Israel where they probably still stamp them out by the thousands.

Thanks but yes it was the one above (blue intaglio Mars).  Phoned restaurant and they said they will keep their eyes open for it but I'm not holding my breath.  This is the second 2000 year old item I lost...the other was a quinarius of Fulvia.  So stupid, I wasn't gonna wear it tonight until I saw this thread so I went and put it on. 

[majorcvs]

Jay, look at it this way. It's only a material item. It could be a lot worse. 2 years ago I had my dad's tiny diamond taken out of his tieclasp and mounted as an earing. Wore it in my left ear. Down the drain it went. Last year my wife bought me a replacement pair of Leo diamonds at a cost of $800. Down the drain that earing went but luckily I still have the other. 4 years ago my wife's $5K diamond pendant ended up in the burn barrel and burned up the gold necklace. Good thing she found it but the necklace had to be replaced. This year my wife lost her opal ring. 2 weeks ago I lost a Celtic ring I've been wearing for quite a while.  On top of that I lost $700 at the casino. Sheesh..... it's one thing after another. Now I've been told that my Byzantine and Greek gold coins are fakes. Bah! Only material things I say.....

[Jay GT4]

Of course you are right.  I take comfort in knowing that a wealthy Roman 2000 years ago probably went to dinner himself and after a fine meal looked down at his ring and saw the intaglio missing!  I only wish my meal last night was as good as his 2000 years ago!

[mwilson603]

Jay, I know it was the stone and not the ring, but I couldn't help but think of you when I read this story.  It seems that sometimes these lost material possessions have a way of making their way back to you http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16374283
regards
Mark

[Jay GT4]

Awesome!