It can help if you can find the manufacturer’s identifying mark. This is often also located on the handle, although this may be a company logo and not a name. You can look online to find a catalog of the different sterling manufacturers and their related logos. Finding this logo is the easiest way of identifying your sterling silver patterns.
What is a maker's mark on a sterling silver plate?
British Sterling Maker's Marks The maker's mark is a series of initials representing the name of the silversmith or company. They are set into a cartouche, usually the same as the other marks, but not always. For example; W & H, for Walker & Hall of Sheffield is set within a flag.
What is the Sterling Mark and what does it mean?
In England, the sterling mark is a lion passant bearing the appearance of a lion. But over the years, there have been other symbols, including: This grading system was introduced in 1697 due to an Act of Parliament. The hallmark sign is the image of Britannia (figure of a woman).
What is the standard marking on sterling silver?
In 1907, the first standard marking was introduced. From then on, manufacturers were required by the law to imprint the stamp to indicate high quality. The standard marking on sterling silver and other metals has been of great help. The previous grading system had random details, and the metal’s purity was often unclear.
What countries have their own sterling mark?
Most countries that live under the reign of the British crown have their own sterling mark, instead of the lion. Scotland uses a thistle flower, Ireland uses a harp, and so on. Make a note that England itself has made the bulk of sterling wares over the centuries.
What is the mark on sterling silver?
900, silver known as "coin silver" varies in purity. Silver at that time was sometimes marked "COIN" or "PURE COIN", but can also be without a standard mark altogether. After the adoption of the sterling standard, pieces were marked with "STERLING", the number "925" or the notation "925/1000".
Is there an app to identify silver hallmarks?
Miller's Silver Marks app is the only product that will enable you to identify an unknown piece of silver from any country around the world – quickly and confidently. It is an essential tool for collectors, academics, dealers and students.
How do you read sterling silver hallmarks?
Moving up in fineness, the next symbol you will find is 925. This number indicates the metal is silver and that it is 92.5% pure. Silver that is marked with 925 is known as Sterling Silver. Sterling Silver is commonly used in jewellery, cutlery (such as silver spoons), and other products because of its durability.
How do you read English sterling hallmarks?
READING BRITISH SILVER HALLMARKSSTEP 1 - LOOK FOR THE STANDARD MARK. There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver. ... STEP 2 - LOOK FOR THE TOWN MARK. ... STEP 3 - LOOK FOR THE DUTY MARK. ... STEP 4 - LOOK FOR THE DATE LETTER. ... STEP 5 - LOOK FOR THE MAKER'S MARK.
Is there a free app to identify antiques?
Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff.
How do you date sterling silver?
0:211:49How to easily identify and date sterling silver hallmarks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd as I say the year it was made differences modern silver is often marked 9:00 to 5:00. That's 925MoreAnd as I say the year it was made differences modern silver is often marked 9:00 to 5:00. That's 925 parts silver to every thousand parts 925 is the sterling.
What are the 5 standard silver marks?
There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver:The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England.The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow.The thistle for for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh.The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin.More items...
How do you identify a hallmark?
The four components of a hallmark are: the sponsor or maker's mark, the standard mark, the assay office mark and the date letter for the year. Hallmark identification should answer four important questions - where; what; when; who. Where? Locate the assay office.
What are the markings for real silver?
International sellers of silver will stamp silver as 925, 900 or 800." These numbers indicate the level of purity of the silver. Sterling silver has a purity of 92.5 percent or higher.
What does WH mean on silver?
WH into a rectangle. William Hall (possibly)
What does 3 crowns mean on silver?
Salad sets in this style are most often silver plate. If the salad set bears a three crown mark that looks like this then it is solid silver of at least 830 fineness.
How can you tell if something is solid silver or silver plated?
Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.
Why are silver coins stamped with duty marks?
As a result, there are fewer pieces in circulation. Some pieces were also stamped with a duty mark to show taxes were paid on the piece, as silver pieces were seen as minted currency throughout much of history and subject to taxation.
What are some examples of pieces that no longer have a place in our society such as a fork specifically for
Other factors include pieces that no longer have a place in our society such as a fork specifically for nuts or a stuffing spoon. With some sets containing hundreds of pieces compared to our modern 20 piece sets, it is hard to imagine what all the pieces were used for yet to a collector, each piece is significant.
Why were flatware used in the arts?
Flatware was a canvas for artistic expression and a way to show off new found wealth.
What is a jewelry maker's mark?
Jewelry Makers’ Marks. Jewelry makers will often have designated maker’s marks that are registered and thus enable them to be widely recognized and tracked. This helps both the maker and the buyer in that it verifies authenticity and can be easily traced when necessary.
Why are jewelry makers designated?
Jewelry makers will often have designated maker’s marks that are registered and thus enable them to be widely recognized and tracked. This helps both the maker and the buyer in that it verifies authenticity and can be easily traced when necessary.
When did the French start using jewelry markers?
The French were well ahead of their game with a markers system that dates all the way back to the thirteenth century. Needless to say, systems for designating jewelry have been in place for quite some time. Now, it’s all about deciphering these marks to know more about the pieces you may own or intend to buy.
What are period marks?
Period Marks. Jewelry style can often be identified by the era in which it was conceived. But this again makes markers of the utmost importance, as they ensure that items do in fact belong to the era in which they claim to belong to.
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 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.
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 does 800 mean on silver?
“800” is usually found on continental silver. If a piece is not American, refer to the sources about English or Continental 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.
What is the maker's mark?
MAKER'S MARK. The enforced use of the maker's mark was instituted in London in 1363. Its purpose was to prevent the forgery of leopard’s head marks upon silver of debased content by providing an indication of the party responsible for the piece.
When did the import mark for silver start?
IMPORT MARKS. The required use of import marks to be stamped on foreign made silver was instituted in 1867 . A letter "F" in an oval cartouche was stamped alongside the regular hallmarks, the maker's mark being that of the British importing firm (sponsor's mark).
How to identify a silverplate?
1. Establish that it has one of the Silver Standard Marks, if not it is likely silverplate or from a different country. 2. Locate and identify the City Mark. 3. Note whether it has a sovereign's head Duty Mark - or not. The sovereign's head, or lack thereof, will narrow the date range. 4.
Where was the Sterling silverplate made?
This particular set of marks tells us that this item was made of Sterling, in the city of London, in the year 1789, during the reign of King George III, and by the silversmith Thomas Wallis. either from another country or a piece of silverplate with a hallmark-like trademark. }.
What is the purpose of duty marks?
3. DUTY MARKS. In 1784 the duty mark was created to indicate a tax on the item had been paid to the crown. The mark used was a profile portrait of the reigning monarch's head. The use of this mark was abolished in 1890. 4.
What is a maker's mark on jewelry?
A maker's stamp is another term for maker's mark. The mark is stamped on the jewelry, and there may be other stamps on the jewelry also. What do stamps on gold jewelry mean? Besides the maker's mark, there is also a gold purity mark showing the percentage of pure gold in the piece.
What is a maker's mark?
A Maker's Mark is a unique stamp placed on jewelry and watches to ensure the authenticity of the manufacturer. These stamps are typically made up of the manufacturers initials, name, or another unique representative symbol. Identifying this mark is the first step in determining the value of a piece of jewelry. In addition to Maker's Marks, some countries require hallmarks, which are given by the country where manufacturing took place. Hallmarks can offer further information about the place of origin, date of manufacture, and metal content.
What is hallmark in the UK?
Hallmarks vary by country. In some nations, such as the UK, the hallmark is made up of several stamps including the type of metal, the maker's mark and the year of the marking. By submitting this form, you agree to receive emails and the use of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.
When did jewelers have to stamp purity?
In the US, jewelers have been required to stamp a purity mark on their pieces since 1906, and in 1961 the US required a maker's mark. What are purity stamps on gold jewelry? What are jewelry hallmarks? A true hallmark is a guarantee of an independent body or authority that the contents of the noble metal are true.
