Papal Ring of Pius II

There is a massive ring extant, chased with the arms of Pope Pius the Second. It is of brass, and has been thickly gilt. It is set with a topaz, the surface of which has lost its polish. On the hoop of the ring are chased the arms of Pope Pius the Second, of the family of Picolomini, the papal tiara, and this inscription, Papa Pio. The stone is set in a massive square facet, carried up to a considerable height above the finger; and on each of the four sides is placed, in relief, one of the four beasts of the Revelation, which were used to typify the Evangelists. Pope Pius the Second is better known by his literary name of Aeneas Sylvius. His works, which include a History of Europe, a History of Bohemia and a long series of letters, have passed through several editions. He was elected Pope in 1418, and died in 1464. This ring is considerably larger in size than the rings usually found buried with bishops, and which were probably what they received on their consecration. It must have been intended to have been worn over a glove. It seems to have been a state ring worn on one of those occasions when all Christendom came to receive his benediction.