Dating gorham sterling

How is Gorham Silver dated?

Gorham silver can be easily dated with a little knowledge of their various marks over the years. The earliest mark seen on Gorham pieces is that which features an anchor flanked by both a lion and a letter “G”. This straightforward mark was used for the first twenty years of Gorham’s production with little modification.

What is a Gorham date code Mark?

(note) Gorham date code marks are found on holloware and some smaller items, not used on flatware. Gorham silver was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in the year of 1831 by Jabez Gorham, a master craftsman, in partnership with Henry L. Webster.

What is the history of the Gorham Silver Mark?

This straightforward mark was used for the first twenty years of Gorham’s production with little modification. By 1868, additions to existing Gorham silver marks were necessary thanks to the company’s adoption of sterling silver wares. As such, each year of production between 1868 and 1884 was noted with a capital letter.

How do you mark the year on a Gorham silver coin?

The use of the year mark was suspended until 1941, at which time Gorham silver adopted a system of marking their important pieces with polygonal figures sorrounding a numeral. The number of the sides indicated the decade of manufacture, the numeral, the year. 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1980 dates had no numeral.

How do you date a piece of Gorham Silver?

Dating a piece of Gorham silver is a question of decoding the hallmarks on the back or bottom of each piece. Hallmarks on the silver pieces were not consistent in the first few years. In 1848, Gorham silver marks consisted of a lion, anchor, and the letter “ G .”

What is the history of the Gorham Silver Mark?

This straightforward mark was used for the first twenty years of Gorham’s production with little modification. By 1868, additions to existing Gorham silver marks were necessary thanks to the company’s adoption of sterling silver wares. As such, each year of production between 1868 and 1884 was noted with a capital letter.

What does the letter a mean on Gorham Silver?

A Gorham silver mark featuring the letter “A.” By 1868, additions to existing Gorham silver marks were necessary thanks to the company’s adoption of sterling silver wares. As such, each year of production between 1868 and 1884 was noted with a capital letter. 1885–1933

What is a Gorham date code Mark?

(note) Gorham date code marks are found on holloware and some smaller items, not used on flatware. Gorham silver was founded in Providence, Rhode Island in the year of 1831 by Jabez Gorham, a master craftsman, in partnership with Henry L. Webster.

What are the hallmarks on a Gorham silver coin?

Hallmarks on the silver pieces were not consistent in the first few years. In 1848, Gorham silver marks consisted of a lion, anchor, and the letter “ G.” Then, from 1848 through about 1860, the lion marking faced left, but instead of their previous direction, facing right.

How do you date a piece of Gorham Silver?

Dating a piece of Gorham silver is a question of decoding the hallmarks on the back or bottom of each piece. Hallmarks on the silver pieces were not consistent in the first few years. In 1848, Gorham silver marks consisted of a lion, anchor, and the letter “ G .”

How do you read a 1960 Gorham Silver Mark?

Detail of a 1960 Gorham silver mark. From 1940 onward, Gorham silver marks changed each decade to include the year inscribed within a polygon with the same number of sides as the decade itself (for example, if a piece was made in 1947, its mark would feature the number “7” inscribed within a four-sided shape to reflect the 1940 decade).

What does the letter a mean on Gorham Silver?

A Gorham silver mark featuring the letter “A.” By 1868, additions to existing Gorham silver marks were necessary thanks to the company’s adoption of sterling silver wares. As such, each year of production between 1868 and 1884 was noted with a capital letter. 1885–1933