1977 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XII Championship Ring — Salesman Sample
On January 15, 1978, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII — the first Super Bowl ever played inside a domed stadium and the first played in prime time. This is an official salesman sample of the championship ring issued in the name of legendary quarterback Roger Staubach — produced on the exact same machines and dies as the player-issued original, made to near-exact specs, in 10k gold with cubic zirconia stones in place of diamonds.
What is a salesman sample?
Salesman samples were produced by the ring manufacturer on the exact same machines and dies as the player-issued originals — meaning the construction, detail, and craftsmanship are completely identical. The only difference is that samples use cubic zirconia (CZ) stones in place of diamonds. Everything else — the design, the gold, the engravings — is indistinguishable from the rings worn by the players themselves. Samples like this were used by sales reps to show teams future ring designs, and were never sold to the public. That makes them exceptionally rare today.
Led by Staubach and the vaunted "Doomsday Defense," the 1977 Cowboys steamrolled through a 12-2 regular season, then routed the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs to reach their fourth Super Bowl. Rookie Tony Dorsett gave Dallas a second Heisman Trophy winner in the backfield alongside Staubach — the first time in NFL history a champion had two Heisman winners sharing a backfield. This was also the season NFL Films first coined the Cowboys "America's Team," a nickname that has stuck ever since.
| Championship | Super Bowl XII (1977 season) |
| Player Style | Roger Staubach, Quarterback |
| Type | Salesman sample |
| Material | 10k Gold |
| Stones | Cubic zirconia (CZ) |
| Manufacturer | Jostens |
| Result | Dallas Cowboys defeated Denver Broncos, 27-10 |
| Regular Season Record | 12-2 |
1977 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Ring — Quick Facts
- Super Bowl XII was played January 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans — the first Super Bowl played indoors and the first in prime time.
- Roger Staubach threw for 183 yards and a touchdown in the win, his second Super Bowl title with Dallas.
- Cowboys defenders Randy White and Harvey Martin were named Super Bowl Co-MVPs — the only time in Super Bowl history two players have shared the award.
- Rookie Tony Dorsett rushed for 1,007 yards during the regular season, becoming the first Cowboy to do so since 1973.
- This was the second of Roger Staubach's two Super Bowl championships with Dallas (also Super Bowl VI).