Silver mark dating

How do I Date my Silver from its hallmark?

To date your silver from its hallmark first identify the assay office (e.g. anchor for Birmingham, leopards head for London, etc.). Then click on the appropriate link below to go to the tables of date letters. If you are unable to identify the assay office from one of the town marks below you may have a piece of imported silver.

What do the markings on silver jewelry mean?

Certain markings on silver indicate where the silver originated from or where it was manufactured. For example, the lion marking indicates British sterling and since the mark has changed over the years, the lion mark actually indicates a specific time period of silver dating.

Do you have to mark your gold and silver?

In the USA, The National Gold and Silver Marketing Act does not require precious metals to be marked with quality. However, if a quality mark is used, the mark must be accompanied by a manufacturers hallmark that is a registered trademark or the name of the manufacturer.

Are there any silver hallmarks on silver?

However, there are two silver hallmarks that have been discontinued: Beginning on 1 December 1784, British law mandated that a duty mark be applied to silver pieces. This showed that the requisite tax had been paid to the Crown.

What are silver hallmarks and how do I get them?

8am to 10pm - 7 days a week Silver hallmarks are a key part of determining the purity of an item purporting to be made from silver. Hallmarks are legal stamps, applied to items manufactured from a number of precious metals. These include gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

How do you identify antique silver?

In order to properly identify your antique silver pieces, you need to know how to read the hallmark on the item. These stamps indicate the year the item was made, where it was made, and who made it. It can also include a few other pieces, such as a duty mark, although that’s not always the case.

How do you read a silver mark?

One trick to making it a bit easier to read is to gently blow on it. The warmth from your breath will cause condensation, making the mark clearer. There are a number of common marks that appear on many silver pieces.

What do the marks on the bottom of silver mean?

Silver Identification Guide January 1, 2020 The marks on the bottom of a piece of silver can be an indication of the age, maker, and origin of the piece. This mark is referred to as a “hallmark.”

Are there any silver hallmarks on silverware?

However, there are two silver hallmarks that have been discontinued: Beginning on 1 December 1784, British law mandated that a duty mark be applied to silver pieces. This showed that the requisite tax had been paid to the Crown. The duty mark was a profile of the head of the current reigning monarch.

What do these silver hallmarks on stamps mean?

These stamps indicate the year the item was made, where it was made, and who made it. It can also include a few other pieces, such as a duty mark, although that’s not always the case. If you’re not certain how to tell what these silver hallmarks are, these tips will help you.

What are the different types of silver marks?

These include gold, silver, platinum and palladium. They identify the main metal, and how much of it can be found, in a number of items. Silver hallmarks are particularly likely to be found on silver jewellery and antique silver items (such as cutlery).

How do you read hallmarks on silver?

Knowing the history of silver flatware and other items can be very helpful for reading hallmarks. For example, if you see a duty mark on a piece, you’ll know that it was made between 1784 and 1890. You can narrow it down even more if you know when that mark was the king’s head and when it was the queen’s.