In "Of The Rings of Power and the Third Age" -- in reference to Sauron's actions after the fall of Numenor and his preparations to challenge the exile realms of Gondor and Arnor, as well as Gil-Galad and the elves -- there is the line: "He took up again the great Ring and clothed himself in power;".
The implication in my view is that when years earlier, Sauron submitted without a fight to Ar-Pharazon, the King of Numenor, he did so without the ruling ring in his possession. Otherwise, he might not have been visible to the Numenoreans or might have had it taken from him by them.
Quite credibly, it was left at Barad-dur under the capable protection of the Nazgul, whom Sauron could definitely trust in this way, as he could send them to fetch the Ring three millenia later. They are slaves to him and to the ruling Ring, and it was beyond those phantoms to do anything other than guard it until their master's return, regardless of form.
[ December 16, 2001: Message edited by: Man-of-the-Wold ]
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The hoes unrecked in the fields were flung, __ and fallen ladders in the long grass lay __ of the lush orchards; every tree there turned __ its tangled head and eyed them secretly, __ and the ears listened of the nodding grasses; __ though noontide glowed on land and leaf, __ their limbs were chilled.
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