MY FIRST RING!!! Street tear out

[jmastny78]

So i finally was able to get out and hunt the remaining few blocks of the street tear out. Signals are definitely far and few between but I was able to manage a few items. First signal, to me, seems to be a handle to something. Its brass and heavy and rounded off at the end, but broke off half way down, the second find was an old dresser drawer handle, the third was a rather LARGE shell casing (not really sure what they were hunting downtown back in the day, but DAMN!) and finally I found my first ring!!! Pretty stoked! I think its silver although I cant find a hallmark anywhere on it. The only stamp I can find is a partial one that looks like its O I N. But, it came out of the hole as shown, extremely clean and corrosion free. What is the best/easiest way to test to see if its silver? Anyway, not a bad hunt and hopefully will still be able pull a few more relics outta the ground before they finish! Thanks for looking and as always HH!!!

 

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[OWK]

Your ring is almost certainly silver. But not sterling. It is most likely American coin silver. (and it looks to be pretty early)

The letters inside are most likely a makers' mark. I don't have an "OIN" in my database. It would be nice to see a few more closeups of the ring, and particularly the mark. I may be able to identify the maker.

(is it possible that the stamp is only partial, and that the "C" is missing from the word "coin"?)

It very likely dates to pre-1850

 

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[jmastny78]

Your ring is almost certainly silver. But not sterling. It is most likely American coin silver. (and it looks to be pretty early) The letters inside are most likely a makers' mark. I don't have an "OIN" in my database. It would be nice to see a few more closeups of the ring, and particularly the mark. I may be able to identify the maker.

I will definitely see what i can do about some more pics. So far everything ive taken has been with my phone, but the mark on the inside is beyond my phones capability of doing a close up. As soon as i can i'll post some pics. Im excited to see if anything more can be found out about it!

 

[OWK]

I'm pretty well-versed in American Coin silver.

The decoration on the front of the ring.. the stuff that looks like zigzag is called bright-cut decoration. It is also sometimes called "wriggle-work". That is generally not found on pieces after 1830 or so... although a few "old school" silversmiths continued it into the 1850's.


The "coin" stamp really wasn't used prior to 1825, and stopped being used after 1860.

So the sweet-spot range for your ring is maybe 1840 or so. (assuming that stamp says "coin")

 

[jbrown]

great job, keep em coming

 

[jmastny78]

I'm pretty well-versed in American Coin silver. The decoration on the front of the ring.. the stuff that looks like zigzag is called bright-cut decoration. It is also sometimes called "wriggle-work". That is generally not found on pieces after 1830 or so... although a few "old school" silversmiths continued it into the 1850's. The "coin" stamp really wasn't used prior to 1825, and stopped being used after 1860. So the sweet-spot range for your ring is maybe 1840 or so. (assuming that stamp says "coin")

I was excited PBS told me it was coin silver you've got me pumped at the date range!!! That is awesome!!! I will get more pics up as soon as I can!

 

[schwabie16]

Great find. Keep it up!

 

[46Wheat]

Thank you for sharing that dig and those pictures

 

[park pirate]

Congrats on your first ring..