His "Fisherman's Ring", the special signet ring which contains the Pope's name and is impressed to validate certain official documents, is expected to be destroyed along with the lead seal of the pontificate.

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The Vatican also said that the former Pope Benedict's Fisherman's Ring - the special signet ring which contains the pope's name and is impressed to validate certain official documents - had been scored, rather than destroyed, as earlier reports had suggested.

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Highlights include a 16th Century signet ring of Johann Ernst von Sachsen, Julich, Kleve and Berg the great grandson of Sibylle von Julich, Kleve and Berg, sister of Anne of Kleve (Cleves) (1515-1554) wife of Henry VIII, King England(1491-1547), illustrated above left.

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