Hallmarks on precious metals started emerging across many different countries for the same reason. In order to protect governments and people from fraud. Many countries follow a similar standard of stamping hallmarks, though they all have different images. We will explore some of the most common silver stamps you may encounter on silver pieces in your home.
UK Silver Hallmark System
Country of origin is one of the greatest indicators of silver authenticity. This can be found by looking for an assayer’s mark. The first representation of silver hallmarking was established in France. However, The United Kingdom and Ireland developed the most standardized system of silver hallmarks. Creating systems for other countries to build upon and create their own standardization of silver marking.
UK and Ireland silver items typically have between 4-5 stamps on them identifying the purity with the assay’s mark, date mark for when the piece was made, city marker of the office assessing the piece. These are the most recognizable and make it easier for you to identify your piece at home. The most important one to look for is the assayer’s mark. There are 5 common markers from UK and Ireland to look for, a walking lion, a standing lion, a harp, a thistle and the Britannia stamp.
French Silver Hallmark System
French silver stamps are also fairly common stamps to come across. These include, Minerva’s head – 1 tier, Minerva’s head -2 tier and a crab. These represent the French government stamp of authenticity of the silver.
Common hallmarks of silver purity include 925, 900, 800 or even 950. The numbers indicate the percentage of silver the item is, for example 925 is 92.5% pure silver. The higher the purity of the silver, the more valuable the item.
Japan Silver Hallmark
Japan has a very clear hallmark system, the Japanese flag a diamond shape with the fineness stamped in the centre. To indicate platinum, they add a square with PT to the end.
German Silver Hallmark
Germany adopted their system in the late 1880s, stamping all silver with the ‘Crescent and Crown’. It is followed by the fineness indicator number examples include; 800, 830, 835, 900, 925 and 935.
USA Silver Hallmark System
Complications to the system arise in the system when it comes to the practice of melting silver coins. The United States used melted silver for circulated currency coins to create pieces. This is often referred to as coin silver, as it can vary in fineness, ranging from .750 to .900. Hallmarks from these pieces can read COIN, or PURE COIN. These are great examples of pieces that would need to be tested to determine their authenticity.
STERLING is one of the most common U.S. stamps you will find. It is used by the International Silver Company, a U.S. based company known for its beautiful flatware. Chances are if you have seen flatware in a thrift store or on display at your grandparent’s house, it is from ISC.
Ready to Go Exploring
These systems help you determine what treasures you might have in your home, where they were created and stamped with a hallmark. Knowing the basics of silver stamping can help you quickly determine if a piece is silver and what value it can hold!
Interested in buying or selling silver? Visit a Canada Gold location today.
Sources : silvercollection.it | mint.go.jp
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