Hermann Goering’s gold Nazi ring up for auction in NZ

A gold ring once worn by Nazi war criminal Hermann Goering attracted strong interest at an auction yesterday -- but the sale has been delayed as the interested parties struggle to determine its value.

The gold signet ring, complete with Nazi regalia, was the first lot to go under the hammer at Dunbar Sloane's militaria auction in Auckland yesterday.

Director Dunbar Sloane Jr said the ring had been brought to New Zealand by a German man who had settled here, and came with certification of authenticity, the Dominion Post reported today.

It was one of the highlights of the 501-lot auction. Because of the difficulty of valuing it, the owner was negotiating the final price with the top bidder, who was believed to be a New Zealander, Mr Sloane said.

Goering was a leading Nazi, who founded the Gestapo, set up the first concentration camps and headed the Luftwaffe.

According to Dunbar Sloane, the ring was made by jeweller Professor Herbert Zeitner in 1942. It was confiscated by Lieutenant Robert Jackson of the United States 7th Army when Goering surrendered in Austria on May 7, 1945.

Goering was convicted of war crimes and committed suicide on October 15, 1946, hours before he was to be executed.

Four years ago a rifle purportedly owned by Goering was sold at auction for US$8250 ($11,600). The Ludwig Schiwy rifle was a 1940 Christmas gift.

Auction website eBay also lists a 1939 Hermann Goering silver tennis trophy with a valuation of about US$3000.

- NZPA