It would be the ultimate Christmas present for the super Saints fan on your list, but be prepared to shell out several thousand dollars for it. A Super Bowl ring from the New Orleans Saints 2010 championship is on the auction block this weekend.
At an auction Saturday, Neal Auction Company is offering the 14 karat yellow gold and diamond ring, which the auction house says once belonged to a former Saints employee.
Produced by Tiffany & Co. (the same company which creates the Lombardi Trophy), the ring is set with 103 round brilliant cut diamonds. 16 of them surrounding the ring’s face represent the 16 wins during the 2009 season. 44 other diamonds surrounding the entire ring represent the team’s win at Super Bowl XLIV.
Raised letters on the front of the ring feature the words "World Champions." The ring also bears the words "Saints Colts / 31 – 17,” reflecting the score of the game against Indianapolis. Another inscription reads “Super Bowl XLIV / 02 07 10 / Miami FL.”
Also inscribed into the sides of the ring are several small symbols including a fleur de lis, NFL shield, St. Louis Cathedral, a Mardi Gras parade float, Mercedes-Benz Superdome and song notes to "When the Saints Go Marching In."
A man’s size 8¼, the ring is valued somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000.
In 2010, the Saints reported that they had ordered 219 rings, one for every full-time staff member. Last year, one appeared for sale on Craigslist, with a selling price of $45,000. Earlier this year, one of the rings was reported stolen from a Lower Garden District home.
Neal Auction Company said the ring up for sale belongs to a former assistant to Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson.
The auction begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at Neal Auction Company, 4038 Magazine Street, with the ring scheduled to go up for bid around 4 p.m.
