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How to read antique and vintage silver hallmarks?
Identifying Antique Silver Hallmarks The Britannia Standard Mark From 1696 to 1720 the standard of silver was raised from 92.5% to 95.8% pure. It was denoted by the figure of Britannia and the lions head erased. The Lion Passant
How to check silver marks on silverware or flatware?
Aug 21, 2020 · These defining hallmarks are what an expert will need to accurately date the piece and can be found, but not limited to, these common places: 1. On the underside of a vase, tea set, or any novelty object that rests on a flat surface. 2. On the underside of the handle of flatware where there is enough surface area, generally at the end of the ...
How to find the value of antique silver?
History of silver hallmarks. It was Edward I (1272-1307) who first passed a statute requiring all silver to be of sterling standard – a purity of 925 parts per thousand – ushering in a testing or assay system that has survived for over 700 years. The statute made it the responsibility of the Wardens of the Goldsmiths' Guild to mark all ...
How to read Silverplate marks?
Feb 13, 2020 · Older items may have the King’s head, indicating that the item was made between 1784 and 1837. When Queen Victoria took the throne, the mark was changed to the Queen’s head. These antique silver hallmarks are useful in determining when a piece was made. The Date Letter This letter indicates when the silver piece was made.
How to identify silver marks?
Identifying Markings on Silver Pieces. To identify markings, you should be able to locate them in key places. You may need to clean up the piece first though. Due to alchemical properties of silver and the base metals, usually copper, needed to strengthen the soft metal, silver is highly susceptible to tarnish.
What is the marking on silver?
Markings on Silver. Owning a piece of silver is like owning a piece of history, finding markings on silver can sometimes be quiet difficult. Each unique piece is stamped, or hallmarked, with defining markings from the maker and the era it was verified in. If your silver piece has no markings, you probably do not have a legitimate piece.
How to identify counterfeit silver?
The easiest way to identify a counterfeit markings on silver is with a side by side comparison of original markings either from an authentic piece or picture from a credible reference. For a collector, the learning process never ends.
How to clean silver with soot?
If your silver piece is covered in a soot like or blackened layer, gently take a clean dry cotton cloth to rub away the aged varnish using a specialized cream made for silver. Take care to begin in one area and in a circular motion methodically clean the silver. You do not need water or any harsh chemical.
Where do you stamp on a picture frame?
On the back side of pieces that stand upright or hang such as picture frames. Stamps are applied in the places that do not detract from aesthetic quality and where there is enough room to punch them without puncturing thin silver or damaging any edges.
What do the hallmarks on antique silver mean?
The hallmarks on a piece of antique British silver typically signify (from left to right): the maker, the purity, the assay office, the date it was assayed and the duty mark (for items from 1784 to 1890). Image courtesy of I Franks Antique Silver. Nine silver hallmarks of different assay offices in the UK and Ireland, some of which have now closed.
What is the duty mark on silver?
Duty Marks. Many items of Georgian and Victorian silver will carry a sovereign’s head – a ‘duty’ mark reflecting a tax on precious metals collected between 1784 and 1890. The excise duty on gold and silver articles was collected by the assay offices and the mark was struck to show that it had been paid.
What does the inclusion of initial stamps alongside the hallmarks mean?
The inclusion of initial stamps alongside the hallmarks means that most makers can also be identified. Often makers are celebrated in their own right with some collectors choosing to collect the work of just one workshop or retailer such as Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, Charles Ashbee or Liberty & Co.
Why do British hallmarks have letters?
Although no longer compulsory, British hallmarks typically include a letter to indicate the year when a piece of silver was assayed. Generally the letter was changed annually until a complete alphabet had been used and then the cycle would begin again with an alteration to the style of letter or its surrounding shield.
Why do silversmiths in Ireland and Scotland not send their plates to Edinburgh?
For many reasons town silversmiths in Ireland and Scotland seldom sent their plate to Edinburgh, Glasgow or Dublin to be assayed. Here, often for reasons of security and economy, it was prudent to operate outside the jurisdiction of the metropolitan assay houses of Dublin and Edinburgh.
What is the purity of sterling silver?
Historically the standard mark for sterling (.925 purity) silver in Britain has been a lion passant and this will be found on the majority of pieces. However, in 1696, rising concerns over the amount of coinage being melted down and used to make silver items meant that the required fineness was raised to the higher Britannia standard (.958 purity).
Where was hallmarking first used?
The first silver hallmarking was confined to Goldsmiths’ Hall in London but in time other assay offices were opened. Today there are still offices in Edinburgh, where hallmarking has been regulated since the 15th century, and in Birmingham and Sheffield, where assay offices were established by an Act of Parliament in 1773.
What are the marks on British silver?
There were five different marks used on British silver, and they’re easy to recognize. They are the walking lion, the standing lion, the thistle, the crowned harp, and the symbol of Britannia. If you can’t find one of these marks on the item, it was likely silver plated or was made elsewhere.
When was the duty mark used?
The Duty Mark. The duty mark was only used between 1784 and 1890. It indicated that a duty was paid on the silver. Older items may have the King’s head, indicating that the item was made between 1784 and 1837. When Queen Victoria took the throne, the mark was changed to the Queen’s head.
What does it mean when an item is marked with a silver plate?
A silverplate marking, sometimes incorporated into a manufacturer’s mark, indicates that the item was made by electroplating a base metal with a relatively thin coating of silver. When items are marked Quadruple Plate, this indicates four layers of silver were applied to the item over the base metal.
What are some examples of silver?
Many collectible items are made of silver-colored metal that can sometimes be confused with sterling silver, but which have little or no silver content in them. These are far less valuable than items made of sterling silver. Examples include: 1 Alpaca: While it is sometimes referenced as “new silver,” this gray-colored alloy has only 2% silver content mixed with copper, zinc, and nickel. Items of Mexican or South American origin emulating silver can be found with the Alpaca mark. Alpaca does not polish to a high shine like sterling silver. It can also be used as a base for silverplating. 2 German silver: This silver-colored metal actually contains no silver at all. It is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. It will not polish to the high shine possible with silver alloys. Marks include German Silver and E.P.N.S (electroplated nickel silver). Originating in Germany, it was used as a less expensive substitute for sterling, primarily in the late 1800s and early 1900s. 3 Nickel silver: This is another silver-colored material with the same metal content as German silver. It is a mixed metal alloy with no silver content, used around the same time frame as German silver to simulate more expensive sterling silver. Items made of this substance are marked nickel silver.
What is the most common silver alloy?
Common Silver Alloys and Their Markings. Here are some of the most common types of silver alloys, with information on how they are often marked: Brittania silver (950): Brittania silver is an alloy made of 95% silver, which exceeds the requirement for sterling silver. It is most often marked 950.
What is the silver in an alpaca?
Alpaca: While it is sometimes referenced as “new silver,” this gray-colored alloy has only 2% silver content mixed with copper, zinc, and nickel. Items of Mexican or South American origin emulating silver can be found with the Alpaca mark. Alpaca does not polish to a high shine like sterling silver.
What is nickel silver?
Nickel silver: This is another silver-colored material with the same metal content as German silver. It is a mixed metal alloy with no silver content, used around the same time frame as German silver to simulate more expensive sterling silver. Items made of this substance are marked nickel silver. Read More.
Why do you put a stamp on silver?
Most silver items include a stamp to indicate the purity of the silver being used. Items containing the purest forms of silver would be labeled .999, but in reality, silver is too soft to be used in manufacture unless it is mixed with other metals.
Is sterling silver 925?
Hence, many sterling silver items are labeled .925. There are many different terms used to describe various alloys sold as silver. Some of them contain no silver at all, so it’s prudent to understand these terms when investing in antiques or collectibles.
What does a single mark on silver mean?
A single mark usually indicates that the piece of silver was made in America, although there are some Irish and Scottish pieces with just the maker’s name. This is a list of American silver marks and solid American silver. Other lists include silver-plated wares and pewter.
What is the silver mark on the bottom of a silver coin?
The marks on the bottom of a piece of silver can be an indication of the age, maker, and origin of the piece. This mark is referred to as a “hallmark.”.
What is sterling silver?
The word STERLING was frequently used by 1860. STERLING means that 925 out of 1000 parts are silver. This is still the standard for sterling silver. Gorham Silver Company used a special mark for their Martelé silver from 1899 to 1912.
What did Glasgow silversmiths use?
Glasgow silver-smiths used a fish or tree. Ornate capital letters or the fleur-de-lis were used in France. A hand indicates Antwerp, a spread eagle Germany or Russia. The word STERLING indicates Ireland as well as America. COIN, DOLLAR, and STANDARD were usually American terms, but some Irish makers also used them.
What does the letter D mean on silver?
The pieces were later marked with the store name. By 1830 the words COIN, PURE COIN, DOLLAR, STANDARD, PREMIUM, or the letters “C” or “D” were placed on silver to indicate that it was 900 out of 1000 parts silver. The word STERLING was frequently used by 1860. STERLING means that 925 out of 1000 parts are silver.
When did silversmiths use their initials?
Many makers used their last name, or first initial and last name. Pseudo-hallmarks were used about 1800. They were meant to mislead the public into believing that the silver was of English origin.
When did the silver dating system stop?
The dating system was discontinued in 1830 when the silversmiths developed another system. Numbers like 10.15, 112, or 11/12 were stamped on the silver to indicate the percentage of pure silver in the metal.
What are marks on antiques?
Marks are Clues to an Antique's Past. Many antiques have marks on the underside that are stamped, impressed or painted. These marks generally help with identification and dating of the piece by giving a significant historical point of reference.
What is antique mark?
Antique-Marks is a reference work that is free to use. It provides an extensive listing of manufacturers marks found on pottery. Also offered on this website are the following: A summary of antique periods. A full glossary of antiques terms. A detailed history of many well- known artists and manufacturing companies.
Can you recognize all the different porcelain manufacturers?
With the vast number of identification marks, it is virtually impossible to recognize all of the different manufacturers of one specific category, such as English porcelain. Many collectors that specialize in a specific type or era of antiques generally only recognize the most well known of the maker's marks, along with the marks ...