| Be sure your item is thoroughly clean, especially around the hallmark.
Examine the hallmark in good, bright light.
Use an eyeglass or a magnifying glass, if you have one.
If you wear spectacles, remove them before using an eyeglass or magnifying glass. |
Your hallmark will probably include three to five symbols.
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Town mark -
This symbol will tell you where the item was tested and hallmarked.
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The date letter - This symbol will tell you the year in which the item was tested and marked.
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The sponsor’s mark - This symbol will tell you who submitted the item to the Assay Office to be tested and marked.
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Standard mark - This symbol will tell you the type of metal from which the item is made; silver, gold or platinum. It will also tell you the standard of that metal. For example, this mark shows that an item is made of sterling silver.
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The duty mark - This symbol does not appear in all hallmarks, but if it does, it will tell you that the item was marked during a year when duty was levied on gold and silver by the Crown. Duty marks will appear on items marked at The Birmingham Assay Office from 1784 until 1890.
Please note, that the shapes that surround the Anchor, the date letter, the standard mark,
and the duty mark may vary.
When you start to search for your hallmark, it does not matter if the symbols in your hallmark are not
in the same order as they appear on the search page.
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