Is this ring old?

[Garabaldi]

Anyone know the age of this ring? It says "STERLING M" on the inside.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

My guess late 1800's-early 1900's. I think STERLING M is a made by Tiffany mark.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If this is correct, it says 1885 STERLING - M.
The M is from the Moore period and denotes manufacture by TIffany & Co., in America, between 1873 and 1891.
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...+silver+ring+tiffany&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[Garabaldi]

Wow, good job bigcypresshunter. If this is correct, you made my day.

 

[PBK]

In this B&W enlargement of the mark in the photo above, the M appears to be flanked by arrows: -> M <-


I can't find any Moore-period Tiffany "Sterling M" marks with arrows, or without "Tiffany" on the piece as well. The style of the M varies, but here's an example:

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes I see the arrows. I guess its not Tiffany. Thanks for taking the time to research that. http://www.925-1000.com/Tiffany_Date_Code.html

 

[PBK]

Thanks for posting the Tiffany marks link, BC.
Can't find ->M<- listed in any of my jewelry marks books, either. (Closest thing is ->MH<-.)

 

[Garabaldi]

You guys are correct. I went to a coin shop and asked if it was Tiffany and he laughed at me. He said it was not old, 1960's maybe and was not well built.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You guys are correct. I went to a coin shop and asked if it was Tiffany and he laughed at me. He said it was not old, 1960's maybe and was not well built.

I think its older than that. The design looks similar to rings in my 1909 Sears catalog. Does he sell jewelry with his coins?

 

[Garabaldi]

No just coins and I also suspect its older than 1960.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Could it be a Seal Ring?

 

[Garabaldi]

Do people put there initials on a seal ring?

 

[rjw4law]

I agree the ring has a very old style to it...not a 60's period.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Do people put there initials on a seal ring?

I think yes. Why do you ask?

 

[Garabaldi]

Because the guy at the coin store said he thought it may be a seal ring. I am not sure what a seal ring is.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It looks like the seal rings in my book but it looks as if it was not engraved yet. I dont know much about them. Here is a link. http://www.familysealrings.com/Dexter_Seal_Ring.html http://www.familysealrings.com/Dexter_Seal_Ring.html

Seal Engraved rings are engraved traditionally in reverse; to produce a positive 3D wax impression

It almost looks as if something was glued to a seal ring and fell off.