circa 2nd century BC – 1st century AD, Kingdom of Pontus, city of Byzantium (later Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire)

A hammered solid gold shank (approximately 22K) of the ring is attached to an oval bezel shaped as a stylized quatrefoil – an ancient symbol of good luck, health, and fortune. The ring is set with a carved garnet intaglio (seal) which incorporates a star and a crescent shaped element within a palm leaf border.

The design is known as star in crescent and could be interpreted as Sun and Moon, or Moon and Morning Star. The design appears on various coins minted in that area in the given time frame.

The garnet intaglio measures 13.6 x 9.2 mm.

This very finely crafted high carat gold ring likely belonged to a merchant or a city official.

Metal analysis report: 91.48% gold, 5.59% silver, 2.91% copper, 0.02% zinc.

Weight 6.14 grams

Ring size 5.75 (16 mm) sizable