Fun fact: while coinage continued to circulate of most Emperors, despite some being restruck, coins were considered ill-omened if they had a 'bad' Emperor on it - such as Nero or Caligula.
I would want an actual artifact one. I’ve seen a lot of bronze ones on eBay, but I don’t know enough to know if they’re real or not. Given the prices I think that they probably aren’t. Plus bronze turns your skin green.
I would very much emphasize the danger of losing or damaging a worn ring that is an actual piece of antiquity, but if you have an interest in responsible ownership, there are some sites which offer genuine antiquities too common to go to most museums.
Yeah I checked that. While they defined provenance and accurately explained why it's hard to get good provenance records, I didn't see anything which indicated they try to ethically source things.
I'd have no problem buying if the funds benefited research and they are actually excess from proper digs, not just looted goods that are not very useful now they lack context.
Even if I am so very very tempted to buy a Byzantine grenade, to try to discover the recipe for Greek Fire.
I guess the thorough thing to do would be to go up through the dealer's accreditations, but I've no interest in that personally. I'd never want to endanger a piece of history with my grubby little hands - I lose enough things around the house as it is! XD
I have two historical items, neither worth more than $20 or has other significant value. I spent more than 10 times the cost on getting museum-grade framing for one of them so I could display it and not destroy it. The other is 20th century and was mass produced, but is kept in conservation-appropriate conditions nonetheless.
Anything extra I get would be equally treasured, but I can't fund destruction any more than I already have. If only it were easier to get reproductions from the rightful owners!
You'll find heaps of mostly terrible replicas of this ring with the search "anima dulcis vivas mecum ring". If you're happy for low accuracy there are also some 3d models floating around.
The weird thing is the ring in the photo, assuming it is the original, says "mecu" instead of "mecum" which is "with me". It's the only word using a Latin abbreviation, I guess the jeweller didn't quite have room. So search for both 'mecu' and 'mecum' I guess.
The ring itself is apparently in a private collection now though, so no chance of more photos.
Taken from Reddit, since my own Latin is nonexistent:
Liccai, member of Breuci Celtic tribe regarding his honorable discharge from the Roman army. Both tiles and five wax seals of witnesses have been preserved. The holder of the diploma is Centurion Liccai, son of Birsa from Marsunnia, a veteran of the Misena fleet.
I can't find a direct translation online anywhere, but that seems to sum it up.
Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus, supreme priest, tribune for the second time, emperor for the sixth time, father of the fatherland, consul for the third time.
To the veterans who fought in the Misenian fleet under Sextus Lucilius Bassus, who served twenty-six or more stipends and are settled in Paestum, whose names are given below, for them, children and descendants of them, citizenship is granted, and the right of lawful marriage, either with a wife they had when citizenship was velieved to them, or, if they were unmarried, with the wives they will have later.
On the fifth day before the Ides of February (February 9th) during the Consulate of Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus for the third time.
Marcus Cocceius Nerva (in 71 AD)
Centurion Liccaius, son of Birsus, from Marsunnia
In place 23
Copied and verified from the bronze tablet attached to the base of the Temple of Augustus at the Capitol in Rome.
Witnessed by:
Marcus Virus Marcelus, decurio of the Legio Savariensis (?)
Lucius Domitius Severus, Veteran of the Breuki
Gaius Marcus Nobilis from Emonca
Gaius Pidienus from Aquileia
Lucius Valerius Pavonis, Veteran of the Breuki
Gaius Julius Clarus from Aquileia
Lucius Mineus Iucundus from Aquileia
Imp(erator) Caesar Vespasianus Aug(ustus), pont(ifex) | max(imus), trib(unicia) pot(estate) II, imp(erator) VI, p(ater) p(atriae), co(n)s(ul) III, | veteranis qui militaverunt in | classe Misenensi sub Sex(to) Lucilio | Basso, qui sena et vicena stipen|dia aut plura meruerant, et sunt | deducti Paestum, quorum nomina | subscripta sunt: ipsis liberis poste|risque eorum civitatem dedit et | conubium cum uxoribus, quas | tunc habuissent, cum est civi -| tas iis data, aut, siqui caelibes | essent cum iis quas postea du|xissent dum taxat singuli sin|gulas. A(nte) d(iem) V idus Febr(uarias), | imp(eratore) Caesare Vespasiano Aug(usto) III, | M(arco) Cocceio Nerva co(n)s(ulibus). | (centurioni) Liccaius Birsi f(ilio) Marsunnia | loco XXIII. | Descriptum et recognitum ex | tabula aenea, quae fixa est | Romae in Capito(lio) | in podio arae | gentis Iuliae.
Note: Pipe character (|) represents line breaks. Text in brackets is inferred text because Latin made heavy use of abbreviations to save space and materials.
Gorgeous, even though I wasn't expecting it to sound like the generic fantasy and medieval village scene-setting music from every game, movie and TV show ever.
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