Signet stones

Signet rings were important items of personal property in the Roman Empire. The owner could use them to authenticate documents and letters, a matter of great importance in business and political affairs. The choice of a particular signet ring was a personal decision. The engraved image on the stone said a great deal about the ring’s owner. High-ranking military officers had a preference for martial gods and goddesses. These signet stones belonged to rings that have been lost.