2nd century AD. A bronze finger ring with discoid plaque, intaglio Greek inscription formed by letters omega-alpha-iota '?AI' in the upper register, and a fish incised in the lower register. Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 228, for type.4.98 grams, 18.45mm overall, 13.83mm internal diameter (approximate size British -, USA -, Europe -, Japan -) (3/4"). From a Dutch private collection; formerly in a European collection, acquired before 1980. The presence of a fish in the upper register of the ring and its small dimensions can support the thesis that the ring belonged to a Christian child, considering the connection of the Christian faith with the fish symbol. The Greek word for fish (ichthys) is the equivalent of the ancient Greek: ?????, ichthys ('fish'), used by early Christians to refer to Jesus Christ. For this reason the fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome and was used as recognition symbol among the Christians. [No Reserve]