What's the story behind the ring defacement and destruction?

[DS1]

.

[Princess Turandot]

1. Prevents documents being 'authenticated' by someone other than the Pope..

the new one gets a new ring.

[DS1]

2. So the ring is like a stamp?

Interesting.

[Princess Turandot]

3. I think there is also an actual official seal as well..

and that both are destroyed for the reason I mentioned.

[Reverend_Smitty]

4. the seal is on the ring

I think it is a tradition that dates back to the 12th or 13th century

[DemBones DemBones]

5. Is the seal that particular pope's coat of arms?

I can't remember -- or else I never knew.

[Reverend_Smitty]

6. I know the seal features St. Peter...

as for what else is on it, I do not know

[Matilda]

7. The Fisherman's Ring is gold, and shows St Peter in a boat,

fishing with a net, and the name of the Pope is engraved around it.
On the death of the Pope, the ring is defaced by scratching the
figure of St. Peter so that it is spoiled. It is used for papal
briefs, i.e. letters and less formal communications.

The Papal Seal is lead, and has the name of the current pope on one
side, and the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul on the other. It is
used on papal bulls, the formal communications from the Vatican.