1981 San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI Championship Ring — Salesman Sample
On January 24, 1982, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI, capturing the first championship in franchise history and launching one of the great dynasties of the decade. This is an official salesman sample of the championship ring issued in the name of Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana — produced on the exact same machines and dies as the player-issued original, made to near-exact specs, 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.
The 1981 49ers capped a stunning turnaround, going from 2-14 just two seasons earlier to a league-best 13-3 record under head coach Bill Walsh. San Francisco jumped out to a then-record 20-0 halftime lead behind three Cincinnati turnovers, and despite being outgained in total yardage — the first time that had ever happened to a winning team in Super Bowl history — the 49ers' takeaway advantage proved decisive. Montana was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 14 of 22 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score, laying the groundwork for the NFL's next dynasty.
| Championship | Super Bowl XVI (1981 season) |
| Player Style | Joe Montana, Quarterback — Super Bowl MVP |
| Type | Salesman sample |
| Stones | Cubic zirconia (CZ) |
| Result | San Francisco 49ers defeated Cincinnati Bengals, 26-21 |
| Regular Season Record | 13-3 |
1981 San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl Ring — Quick Facts
- Super Bowl XVI was played January 24, 1982, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.
- This was the first Super Bowl championship in San Francisco 49ers franchise history.
- The 49ers improved from a 2-14 record in 1979 to a league-best 13-3 in just two seasons under Bill Walsh.
- Cincinnati outgained San Francisco in total yards, 356 to 275 — the first time a losing team had outgained the champion in Super Bowl history.
- Joe Montana was named Super Bowl MVP, the first of his three Super Bowl MVP awards in his career.