Sauron with the Seven (three recovered) & the Nine

[Mugwump]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

So can we speculate that the reason he held these lesser rings himself was to hasten his regeneration into the physical world?

It would also be helpful not to have the rings be lost whenever the Nazgul happened to be defeated in battle and their current material bodies destroyed, for example when they were drowned up near Rivendell. I always wondered why the elves didn't just recover the bodies and cut the rings off their fingers. Sauron's holding of the rings himself would explain it.

Of course, Sauron didn't have physical form yet either, so I suppose his minions in Mordor must have kept them for him in a safe place. It would be interesting to explore the ruins after Sauron was defeated, and look for them.