CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D.

Several related heavy gold rings with grooved shoulders and voluted bezels are set with gold coins, including one for Caracalla (198-217 A.D.), one for Diocletian (285-305 A.D.) and one for Maximianus (286-305 A.D.), which confirms the suggested date of the 3rd century A.D. for the type (see nos. 263-264 in F.H. Marshall, Catalogue of the Finger Rings, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Departments of Antiquities, British Museum; no. 40 in J. Spier, Treasures of the Ferrell Collection,). Other related rings are set with gems, some plain, as here, others engraved, such as the example with Eros playing a lyre, no. 37 in J. Boardman and D. Scarisbrick, The Ralph Harari Collection of Finger Rings.