What do you need to know when reading a hallmark?
The first thing to do when reading a hallmark is to find out at which assay office it was hallmarked. I know from looking at this that it was hallmarked in Dublin because of the mark with the harp and crown. This mark is known as the mark of origin and is different for every assay office.
How can I read a sterling silver hallmark?
One trick to making it a bit easier to read is to gently blow on it. The warmth from your breath will cause condensation, making the mark clearer. There are a number of common marks that appear on many silver pieces. For example, the lion passant is standard to identify a piece as sterling silver.
What is the second mark on a hallmark spoon?
The second mark on this spoon is the mark of Hibernia. This mark was introduced by the Dublin assay office in 1731 so at least I know from this that the spoon was made after that year. This mark is still stamped on all silver hallmarked in Ireland. There can also be a fourth mark which is the date letter.
Are there any compulsory marks on a Hallmark card?
Until 1998, a Hallmark consisted of four COMPULSORY MARKS. Since 1998 the date letter has become optional but the other three symbols remain compulsory. The symbols give the following information:
What does 13 / 16 mean on a hallmark?
left ~ 18th Cent. The 13 indicates silver purity, 13/16 lothig or .813, year 1753 right ~ 19th Cent. until 1866. The letter at top indicates town, A = Vienna, year 1857 top left ~ 1831 – 1868, Second standard mark for .800 silver. First standard mark was a Lyre.
What was the standard mark for a Hallmark card?
top right & center row ~ 1868 – 1942, Unofficial Standard marks, hallmarking was not compulsory. Official standard marks were A 1 for .900 and A 2 for .800, both in a Gothic font. bottom ~ from 1942 – Standard mark, must be accompanied by a makers mark in barrel form lozenge.
Do you have to have a makers mark on a hallmark?
bottom ~ from 1942 – Standard mark, must be accompanied by a makers mark in barrel form lozenge. 925 standard minimum, usually with “Sterling” or “Silver” and a maker’s mark.
How to tell if a hallmark is silver?
Silver standard indicated by “Sterling Silver” or any combination of abbreviations. Usually accompanied by an initial maker’s mark, sometimes with pseudomarks. left ~ 18th Cent. The 13 indicates silver purity, 13/16 lothig or .813, year 1753 right ~ 19th Cent. until 1866. The letter at top indicates town, A = Vienna, year 1857
