Various alumni publications have documented tales of alums meeting by chance in foreign countries drawn together by recognition of this unmistakable Concordia symbol.
The Cobber ring has not always been so distinctive in its design. In the college’s early years, each class designed its own ring along with its own song, motto, and poem. In the fall of 1919, the student body conferred and decided to adopt a standardized ring. Class representatives selected the design of Oscar Martinsen, a 1909 graduate, who was a local jeweler at the time. When the design was selected, class representatives decided that each graduating class could select its own stone. The class of 1920 chose the ruby, which most closely aligned with Concordia’s school colors. Rubies have remained the selected gemstone for the Cobber ring. In the 1940s, however, black onyx replaced the ruby to observe World War II. These black onyx rings are rare and among the few that differ from the standard design. Recent estimates suggest that 50 percent of junior students order the Cobber ring. By graduation 65 percent of the class has ordered the band. This percentage has remained fairly steady since the late 1980s. In 1933, male students paid approximately $12 for their Cobber rings while females paid about $10. In 2003, ring prices ranged from $328 to $522 depending on the size and the number of karats. |