Questionhi Dr Roark, i have an old gold ring, it has a horseshoe design with 9 tiny stones around the horseshoe...it also has the letters in gold REG & ARD either side of the horseshoe...which obviously spells REGARD.
the markings inside the ring read...AA 15 RD 59070...have you any information regarding the ring design or markings please?
i thank you for your time and wish you well...kind regards Mike Cunningham in Cardiff South Wales UK.
AnswerHello Mike,
I am highly interested in your ring. Can you tell me if you have any other details about the ring,any owners other than you or if you suspect any membership organisation the original owner may have belonged to. Also what colour are the stones surrounding the horshoe?
I am fairly sure that the 15 indicates 15 kt. gold,the 59070 and RD refer to the British Registry of Design number and yours indicates the ring was most probably issued and made between 1911 and 1912. The AA is either the place of origin or the maker- I would need to know if it is in a background that would be either a shape or a motif like a square, diamond, etc. and the type of letter style ( script, block, gothic, etc.) those would narrow the possibilities and give me a definite answer with which to serve you better.
I suspect it was a custom made ring as many of the rings I have seen in the all too limited styles made for gentlemen, took a basic horsehoe and had the jeweler add or cast custom accents- the word regard, broken as you describe most definitely attests to that style of craftsmanship. If the owner were a horseman, or owned equine racers, it may have been the name of a prized mount in his stable. I have looked over masonic related rings and ruled them out entirely due to the RD # and it's telling British issue.
So I am intrigued, but do beg some more information to help you find out and value it more precisely. Please email me with the stone colours, and any details on the inside of the band you have omitted - even , as I said, the shape of the background on which the "AA" is stamped is relevant to the maker or place of origin, as is any history you may personally know or suspect of the ring's first owner, if not yourself. I am anxiously waiting your reply!
Best Regards , Ari
