hallmarking

In most countries it is standard to stamp or mark a precious metal item with the carat stamp, which would display the content of precious metal in decimal and / or carat form. (see each individual metal for specific carats or marks) The British hallmarking system has been used for over 700 years and begun with Silversmith pieces being marked with a makers mark and place it was made or assayed. This became a legal requirement as a law passed by Parliament. Due to loss of records some information about many pieces hallmarked more than 200 - 300 years ago is difficult to certify.

Since the British Hallmarking system was introduced Gold, Platinum and even Palladium have also begun to be struck and has since become a legal requirement. There are four main marks that comprise the British Hallmark, the makers mark, assay office mark and purity marks are compulsory, the date mark is optional.

Makers Mark

the auglen makers hallmark

Up to five letters from the Company name that made it or the initials of the Maker. Older pieces can have a symbol rather than letters. The above Mark is for items made by Auglen ltd

Standard Mark

Purity Mark

A Millesimal Mark states the metals Fineness >>>see individual metals Gold, Silver, Platinum

Standard Marks can appear with the Millesimal Mark : The Crown appears on all standards of Gold of British origin, The Orb and Cross is used for Platinum, Silver is marked with either a Lion or Britannia Mark.

Origin Mark

anchor birmingham assay office mark

Usually a symbol that represents the office that Assayed it. Possible UK hallmarks include: London, Sheffield, Birmingham, Chester, Glasgow, Dublin, York, Newcastle, Exeter, Edinburgh, Norwich or other minor guilds.

There are currently four main Assay offices : London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Sheffield. London is represented by a Leopards Head Mark, Birmingham uses an Anchor Mark, Sheffield uses a Rose Mark and Edinburgh uses a Castle Mark

The Date Mark

Date Mark

Usually an alphabet letter that represents the current date when the item was assayed and not necessarily when it was made.

Optional Marks

There are a wide variety of hallmarks available, some are images and some are of significant dates.

date mark