Hall-marks give all modern and most old English, Scottish and Irish silver and gold is authenticity. Since 1st January 1975 it is has been a required by law that also platinum be marked. Hall-marks are official marks which supply information about the quality of the metal, its date and also its maker.
The hall-marking in Britain has a very long history and it can somewhat be claimed that it is the oldest form of consumer protection in the country. The earliest statute concerning gold and silver is that of 1238 AD, when the standards of fineness were laid down, but the true beginning of hall-marking dates from 1300 AD, when it was decreed that no piece of silver 'was to depart out of the hands of the workers' until it had been tested and marked with the leopard's head. The standard of silver was to be sterling, or 92.5% pure, which was the same standard as the coinage. The 'Guardians of the Craft' were instructed to enforce the law.
In 1363 it was law that each Master Goldsmith (the term goldsmith was formerly used without distinction for gold and silversmiths) should have his own, which had to be registered. The maker's mark took a variety of forms, but in 1739 they were all made to re-register with new makers marks which took the form of initials of forename and surname, with only the occasional additional symbol such as crown or mullet.
The first full date letters in London started with 'A' in 1478 and continued in 20 year cycles (excluded letters J and V to Z) without break until 1696, when a new series commenced, The Britannia Standard.
The Britannia Standard was introduced because the melting and clipping of coinage was so dominant in silversmiths. To maintain high quality, The Britannia Standard used a higher standard, 95.8% pure or another 8 dwts. of silver to the pound troy.
Leopard head's show the silver is from London, an Anchor shows the piece is from Birmingham and crowned harp is Dublin and so-on.
An example of silver hall-mark:
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| Antique Silver Charles Boyton II Jug and Sugar Bowl for sale at Just Pip It |
CB is the makers mark, Charles Boyton II
The lion shows the quality of silver
The facing leopard head shows it was made in London. This particular style of head shows it was during Queen Victoria's reign.
The 'R' is the date, 1892.
If you do have a piece of silver, gold or platinum and would like the piece dated please do not hesitate in contacting us at Just Pip It. If you wish to sell any items, our commission rates are low, so please think of us. Just Pip It are far more than just Ebay brokers. We market your items as strongly as possible to make sure millions of people worldwide are interested.
Any question, drop us an email at justpipit@hotmail.co.uk
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