Babe Ruth 100th Anniversary Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2014
It is arguably the greatest team in pro football history, as the 1972 Miami Dolphins won every game that season for a perfect 17-0 record, the only prefect season in the Super Bowl era. The Dolphins overcame a near season ending injury to their Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese, using their stout “No Name” defense, punishing running game, and superb management of veteran sub quarterback Earl Morrall.
It is extremely rare for a player or owner Super Bowl ring to be offered at auction. The primary reason is these wonderful pieces of jewelry hardware are treasured by the owner, whose hard work and determination helped reward them with a Super Bowl Championship. If these rings are handed down to family members, they provide a remembrance of pride and determination, including the now familiar stories of the players and season.
This is not a salesman’s sample ring or a replica ring. This is an actual ring presented to part owner of the Dolphins H. Earl Smalley’s son Peter Smalley. The ring is being consigned directly by the younger Mr. Smalley. The 14K gold, size 10.25 ring features a single 1-carat diamond, representing their Super Bowl victory, on an aqua blue stone, surrounded by 16 small diamonds which represent each of their 16 other victories. The name “SMALLEY” appears on one shank with the official Dolphins logo and the phrase “WINNING EDGE" below. The opposite shank has "Super Bowl VII", "Dolphins 14 Redskins 7", "17-0", and "Perfect Season" all beautifully raised above the gold surface surrounding a perfectly intricate carved image of the Lombardi Trophy. Inside the band is a very well struck “JOSTENS 14K” stamp. Ring Weighs 45 grams.
According to Dolphins management, there were only 52 of these Super Bowl rings produced for players, executives and other key contributors deemed deserving enough to receive this top quality ring. This ring was presented to part owner H. Earl Smalley’s son, Peter. It is not often a ring of this magnitude comes available, and there have been only a handful of occasions where an actual 1972 Miami Dolphins ring has traded hands, but and only one in the last decade. With only 52 rings apparently created for this perfect team, it is one of the scarcest, and due to the perfect aura surrounding this team, one of the most desirable rings ever created. Excellent to Mint condition. Letter of authenticity from Peter Smalley.