A 14-karat gold signet ring that once belonged to Hollywood western star John Wayne is expected to sell for up to £3,000 when it is offered at auction.

The yellow gold ring features an oval face engraved with the True Grit actor’s initials, and could fetch between £2,000 to £3,000 when it goes under the hammer at Elmwood’s auction house in London next month.

It is part of a private collection of antique, vintage and modern jewels focused on craftsmanship and cultural significance, belonging to West Yorkshire-based jewellery dealer Daniel Towell.

The American actor, who died in 1979 aged 72, was known for his tough guy roles in western and war films including Red River (1948) and The Searchers (1956).

His performance in True Grit (1969) landed him an Oscar.

Wayne, whose real name was Marion Michael Morrison but was also known as The Duke, rocketed to fame after starring in western film Stagecoach in 1939 and featured in over 170 titles across his almost six-decade career, at the height of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The 14-karat gold signet ring was originally owned by Hollywood western star John Wayne | Elmwood's/PA Wire

placeholder image — The 14-karat gold signet ring was originally owned by Hollywood western star John Wayne | Elmwood's/PA Wire

The Iowa-born star has been remembered as an influential cultural figure for his lasting impact on American cinema, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.

His gold signet ring is part of a sale titled A Private Collection Of Antique, Vintage And Modern Jewels, which will be going under the hammer at Elmwood’s from May 13 to May 14.

Sophie Padfield, head of Elmwood’s jewellery department, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire a very personal item once belonging to a true film icon.

“Pieces of this kind provide collectors with more than just ownership, they create a tangible and deeply personal connection to history and the individuals who shaped it.”