Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
Tiny, yet important, clues
Hallmarks may be tiny but the information they provide has been guiding traders for almost 900 years.
Today, the hallmarking system is recognised as a trusted way to gauge the authenticity of all kinds of silverware. Yet it’s a system that began way back in 1157 when, because pure silver is very soft and needed strengthening to be used commercially, it was alloyed with copper.
The ratio of 92.5% of silver to 7.5% copper, was determined by Henry II and became the minimum standard that’s now called the sterling standard (925) – or sterling silver. Later, Edward II passed another law saying that no item made in silver could be sold unless the purity testing had taken place.
The responsibility of assaying (testing) and marking the silver fell to the Guild of Goldsmiths in approved ‘halls’ and that’s where we get the term ‘hallmark’. The system has existed ever since, with of four or five symbols, bearing information on its year, the assay office and the maker. The British system has become one of the most famous, making sterling silver one of the most collected. Other nations followed, so you may well see French, German, Italian and Russian marks
– the specifics of which are easily checked.
From 1478 the date letter was added – a single letter which changed every year. Because only 20 letters were used, it was relatively difficult to assume which year belonged to which letter, so each circulation had a different font, capitalisation and shield, making it possible to trace. A new mark introduced in 1544, became the most famous associated with sterling silver. The Lion Passant is still recognised as a standard for purity, although it’s not clear why it was introduced and what the meaning of the change was. Remember that the place of a hallmark may not always be obvious. Sometimes they are quite well hidden for decorative or other reasons. If there’s no hallmark, then it’s almost certainly not solid silver. Silver plated objects are NOT hallmarked.
Be careful, though. It’s not unheard of for hallmarks to be forged, especially on overseas items being bought here to sell. Look at the quality of the item, as poor quality pieces are less likely to be genuine solid silver.
If you’re unsure of a silver item, or just want to know more about a hallmark, pop along to one of my free valuation days – www. freeantiquesvaluations.com – and we’ll be happy to check it out.