1865 Amethyst Intaglio “Go” Ring, 14K Gold (sold)

My favorite find from last weekend’s buying.  This is a very high quality mid Victorian ring with a beautifully colored natural amethyst set in 14K gold.  The face of the stone is carved with an intaglio that reads “GO” along with the image of a pointing hand.  This seems like a peculiar message until you see the inscription inside which reads “From Pa, June 24, 1865.”  

I’d love to know the exact story behind this.  You have to imagine a father resisting his daughter’s wishes to leave home, at a time in America when people went West, often leaving family in the East behind for good.  But on June 24th, 1865 (just 2 days after the last shot was fired in the Civil War) Pa relents and lets his daughter fly the nest.