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Hallmarking of silver and gold is one of the earliest forms of
consumer protection, starting as long ago as 1238 AD.
A Hallmark is a stamp applied to an article of precious metals
after test by assay, by an official Assay Office, to denote fineness
of quality.
No article or part of an article is marked unless it is first
assayed and found to be of the standard of quality required by
law. Although the assaying and marking authorities are not government
officials, they operate under full legal powers.
The British Hallmark is of unquestioned and unquestionable integrity
as a guarantee of quality. It is accepted as such in every part
of the world.
A complete Hallmark consists of three compulsory punch marks
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Sponsor's Mark
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Standard Mark
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Assay Office Mark
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Hallmarks are usually punched in a row with the maker's mark
at one end or the other. The size of the punch marks can also
vary from very small to the size of your finger tip. This depends
on the size of the article and the maker's wishes.
This consists of the initials of the person or the firm responsible
for making the piece. Its main purpose is to identify the person
responsible for manufacturing the piece.
Any trader may register a punch at an Assay Office and send articles
for assay and marking.
The initials are usually surrounded by a shield and the Assay
Office will only accept a design of the sponsor's mark if it is
distinct from that or any other mark registered at that office.
This guarantees that the quality of the item is not below the
legal standard indicated by the mark.
9 carat
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18 carat |
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22 carat |
This mark is generally based upon the arms of the town.
LONDON |
The mark of London is the Leopard's Head. This has been in use
since 1300.
BIRMINGHAM |
The town mark is an Anchor. It has been in use since 1773 to mark
silver but in 1824 it was granted power to assay and mark gold items
as well.
SHEFFIELD |
Originally the town mark was a crown and started in 1773, gold items
we assayed and marked from 1904 but from 1975 the York Rose was
used as its Town Mark for silver, gold and platinum.
EDINBURGH |
The town mark is a Castle with Three Embattled Towers on a Rock.
It has been in use since 1485.
DUBLIN |
The town mark is Hibernia. This was first used in 1730 but between
1637 and 1807 the Harp mark was used as the town and standard mark.
This is now an optional punch. A letter of the alphabet denotes
the year in which the item was assayed and stamped. This is changed
annually and is of a character, combined with a combination of
shields of different designs to avoid duplication.
Up until 1975 all the Assay Offices used different letter and
shield designs but on January 1st 1975 all the offices came into
line with their date letter and started with capital 'A'.
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Silver 
