What is a 2008 World Series ring worth?

WHILE TIMES are indeed tough for most of us, it still would take a lot to part with a rare piece of Philadelphia sports history.

But that's just what someone attempted to do last week, placing an authentic 2008 Phillies World Series championship ring up for auction on eBay.

The ring lasted 5 days on eBay without a single bid being placed. The seller - identified by the user name "nncek" - mandated a 5-day window for bids. An eBay spokeswoman said the item was taken down when the 5 days expired.

The opening bid was $19,999 and the buy-it-now asking price was $30,999.

The seller said the ring belonged to a former front-office employee, was the same type of "A" style ring that the players received and was located in New Castle, Del.

Photos of the ring that were posted did not show the right shank, where the recipient's name is engraved.

A Phillies source said the team believed the ring was legitimate. The seller did not respond to repeated attempts for comment.

So, this all begs the question: What would the ring be worth?

"If this is just Joe Smith's ring who worked in the ticket office, it may be only worth $10,000 as opposed to . . . Ryan Howard's, which might go for $50,000," said Ted Taylor, a sports memorabilia auctioneer and owner of Abington-based TTA Authentics.

Taylor has a history with selling sports valuables. In 2009, Taylor and then-partner Jeff Stevens unloaded a slew of memorabilia owned by former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton, including Daulton's 1997 Florida Marlins World Series ring, which went for $25,000.

The Phillies ring in question was set in a 14-carat white gold band and is emblazoned with 103 diamonds, one for every win the Phillies had in 2008 (92 regular season, 11 postseason). The "P" on the front is rubies and the left side of the shank has a Liberty Bell adorned with diamonds.

It's supposed to be a precious reminder given to any staff member who held a major title with the franchise. Players and coaches are a given, but anyone from scouts to groundskeepers received one, so the list is extensive.

Championships are hard to come by in Philadelphia. The Phillies were the first major team to win a world title since the Sixers knocked off the mighty Los Angeles Lakers in 1983.

So why sell a piece of history?

"You never know a person's circumstances," Taylor said. "But if I worked for them, there's no way in heavens I'd sell something like that, I mean, how often do you get a championship ring? Or get something that proves that through your efforts you work for a world champion? I definitely think I'd hold on to that."