Metal Detector Find - Need Help With Sterling Ring Date and Hallmark

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hi gang, I pulled up this cool college ring with my metal detector this weekend. (It fits me, so the emblem is going to be soldered back on by a local jeweler!) I think it dates to sometime in the 1930s - 40s judging by how similar rings are dated, but guesses on the date are all I have been able to find. I have included a clear drawing of the school emblem. The date 1785 is when the school was founded. The latin translation of the motto is "To teach, to serve and to inquire into the nature of things." Apparently, "to serve" was added at a later date, which could help in dating the ring, but I've been unable to find out when "to serve" was added. Inside the ring it is marked "CS STERLING 8+". I have been unable to locate a hallmark like this with the S inside the C. I have no idea what the 8+ is about. I would love to be able to know how old this ring is and any other information.

[KC]

Nice find!  Was it on your property?  What kind of detector do you have Talesof?

I have looked through all of my resources/books and can't find the CS.  I bet you could get hold of the University historian and they could advise you of the motto change.  Surely they have the history of the suppliers for rings (if this one was actually purchased through the school.)

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hi KC, it is a Whites Pro 800, and yes, it was on my property, on what appears to have been a commonly used pathway from the road down to the house. I found the attached 1918 Mercury dime very nearby. Yes, calling the university historian might be our best option, it is kind of an odd hallmark, I don't know what to make of the 8+ at all!

[mart]

I looked through many jewelry marks and all I found on the CS was "unidentified mark" !! I would guess  its the initials of the  company that made the  rings !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Interesting that it's not been identified. It occurred to me that. 8+ is probably the ring size. That sounds about right. My ring finger size is a 7, this fits on my middle finger. I will check when we pick it back up from the jeweler.

[mart]

I think you are correct,, 8+ is probably 8 1/2 !!  Some are not easily sized in exact measurements !!

[jondar]

I'm throwing out for comments that the "Sterling 8+" may be a description of the actual silver content of the ring.  I've always taken for granted that "Sterling" silver was 925 parts pure silver and 75 parts a baser metal used as a hardener for the silver.  I came into possession (sp?) of a beautifully engraved silver belt buckle marked "SILVER 950" and found that it was a way of describing Sterling silver. I've been wondering if the engraver used the softer silver because it would be easier to engrave on.  Not being a metallurgist has its drawbacks.

What a coincidence, I found a 1918 Mercury dime in pristine condition using my detector at a defunct college campus which had been active in the late 1800's.

[KC]

8+ is not a mark used for sterling.  Sterling is 92.5 or 925/1000 of silver.  Most old American pieces that were sterling weren't even marked.

I also believe this is for ring sizing.

8 parts silver would not be popular (8/1000). 

[mart]

And since it says Sterling that would mean 925 for an American made ring,, not less !!  Now if it were European,, you would have a point there !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Thanks for all the helpful info! I have not been able to figure out when this style of ring was made, but I did find out that the lady whose high school ring I returned, also attended the University of Georgia. So my best guess is that this ring dates to the 50s and was probably dropped by one of her friends.

Jondar, that is a funny coincidence about the Mercury dime! I love them, I think they are one of the most attractive coins ever minted.

Here are some updated pictures. I bought a nice silver bezel for the Mercury dime and have been enjoying wearing it. I sent the ring to a jeweler who soldered the emblem back on and polished the ring. It fits my middle finger perfectly and I am enjoying wearing that also, even though I did not attend the University of Georgia!

[mart]

Sure looks nice Tales !!  You will be a jewelry mogul before its over!!

[KC]

Agree with Mart!  They look fabulous! 

Where did you get your bezel?  Need to get some to have coins put in from different countries!

[talesofthesevenseas]

KC I got the bezel here:

https://www.bellafindings.com/

At the main page enter coin bezel into the product search window. They have a good variety and the prices are reasonable. I got the sterling rope style bezel for $13.

[mart]

Tales,, I was thinking the ring is from the late 40`s or  50`s !!  Thats when the wider bands were popular !!  By the 60`s they were more narrow !!

[KC]

Thanks Talesof for the website!  Excited to get some!