Ring-seal of Frederick, Duke of York

An extremely rare ring that belonged personally to an English prince. Sizes: 2.5 cm. (diameter), 2,6x2 cm. (shield), weight 6 g. Gold, carnelian. Intaglio, engraving. Minor scuffs and scratches on the metal. On the reverse side is engraved: «Frederick / Duke of York / Son of George / the Third». The carnelian shield of the ring depicts the coat of arms of the Hanoverian dynasty of Great Britain during the time of King George III (1760-1820). The coat of arms depicts the royal crown of Great Britain. GIM experts date the coat of arms from 1801-1816 . According to the inscription engraved on the back, the ring belonged to Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), the second son of King George III, commander-in-chief of the British land forces. The expert opinion of S.S. Levin and G. G. Smorodinova is attached.

The ring belonged, judging by the inscription, to Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (August 16, 1763 - January 5, 1827), known simply as "The Duke of York" - the second son of King George III of England, field Marshal of the British army.  At the age of six months, he was appointed Elector-bishop of Osnabrück (Germany); listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest bishop in the history of Christianity. He studied military affairs in Berlin, under the supervision of Frederick the Great. In 1791, he married Friedrich Wilhelm II's daughter from his first marriage, Friederike. In 1793, during the war with France, he was entrusted with the protection of the Netherlands, but his actions were unsuccessful and in 1794 he sailed with British troops back to England. In 1799, an expeditionary force was placed under his command in Holland, where York's actions again ended in failure. Until his death, with a short break (1809-1811), he held the title of Commander-in-chief of the British land forces. From 1820 he was the heir of his elder brother George IV. He died childless before George, and the next brother, William Clarence (the future William IV), became the heir. In 1834, a monument was erected to him in London-a column in front of the War Ministry.