Circa 100 – 200 AD. A beautifully formed D-shaped gold ring depicting a bust of Mercury facing left (Hermes the messenger god and patron of businessmen) carrying a caduceus on his shoulder, ring possibly of a later period. For a similar ring see V&A museum number M.553-1910, from the collections of the Dukes of Mantua, Thomas Howard Earl of Arundel and Charles Spencer 3rd Duke of Marlborough.Size: D: 18.6mm / US: 8 5/8 / UK: R; 11.88gProvenance: Central London private collection of Ancient Art and jewellery; acquired from an East Coast, US estate collection formed before 1979.