This is a new project which will help you to identify the hallmarks on early Birmingham silver. Since the Office opened in 1773, many thousands of sponsors’ marks have been registered, and identification of a sponsor’s mark often depends on when it was used. At present, the database only contains sponsors’ marks registered with the Assay Office between 1773 and 1858. Many of these marks, however, continued in use for many years beyond 1858, so your search for marks used at later dates could still be successful. We hope that eventually all Birmingham hallmarks will be added.
This database also only contains information on Birmingham silver hallmarks, so before you begin your search, you need to decide whether your item is made of silver, gold or platinum. Gold and platinum are not yet covered by the database, but we hope to include them in the future.

Please note
Silver may be plated with gold.
Gold may be white in colour.

Meanwhile, if you wish to identify a later hallmark, or a hallmark on gold or platinum, please contact
The Birmingham Assay Office on history@theassayoffice.co.uk

Our main website has information regarding hallmarking in general. Therefore, we would recommend that you visit our main website before you begin your search in order to get an idea of how the hallmarking system works.