Sceptre of Numenor

In Numenor, the power of the Kings and Queens was symbolised not by a crown, but by a Sceptre, held by Elros Tar-Minyatur and all his ruling descendants to the time of Ar-Pharazon. Among the early Kings, it was normal to voluntarily surrender the Sceptre to the Heir, but this tradition was abandoned in later years. Ar-Pharazon carried the Sceptre with him when he sailed to attack the Blessed Realm, and it was lost with the King and all his armies. In Middle-Earth, the exiled Numenoreans maintained this tradition, and their High King held the Sceptre of Annuminas, which had been the symbol of the Lords of Andunie in Numenor.