![]() They include:ġ) symbol for the town in which the silver content was certified, called an assay or town mark Ģ) symbol for the year of manufacture called the date letter ģ) symbol representing the silversmith or factory which made the object, called maker's mark or sponsors mark Ĥ) symbol for the standard mark guaranteeing the silver content. These symbols may be placed in any order. 1890-1999, generally has four symbols and may have five. ![]() English HallmarksĪ typical English hallmark ca. ![]() A piece with both marks meets the requirements of both the EC and US, two huge markets. Since 1999, more and more reproductions are including both 925 and sterling. The use of 925, however, does not preclude the use of sterling. With the 925 standard mark, a piece of silver can virtually be sold world wide with the same mark. In fact the vast majority of mass produced silver reproductions today, whether made in Thailand, India, England, Europe or America, now include 925 in the mark. New silver marked 925 is also acceptable in the US because that is also the US standard. Since then, almost all silver of that quality sold among EC member countries has the 925 standard mark. In 1973, the European Community (EC) agreed to recognize 925/1000 as the official sterling silver standard and 925 as the official standard mark. The globalization of commerce has prompted nations to use the same units of weight, measure and standards to increase trade. But it is a general rule that virtually all pieces marked 925 or sterling 925 are modern. This doesn't mean all pieces marked sterling or sterling silver old. Rarer still, are American marks which include sterling and 925 together without a company name. Very rarely are qualifying pieces of American silver from those years marked only 925. Many vintage marks, but far from all, include the name of the manufacturer. 1860 to 1970–especially items made before 1940–are marked sterling or sterling silver. The numeric 925 is the millesimal expression of the 925/1000 standard.īy far the vast majority of qualifying items made in the US ca. This ratio is called the "sterling standard" and has been used in the US since the mid-1860s. Expressed another way, items must be 92.5 percent silver and no more than 7.5 percent base metal. In America, articles marked sterling must contain a minimum of 925 parts silver for every 1000 parts of material. We will focus on the marks found on reproductions of small decorative and novelty pieces such as match safes, sewing accessories, pill boxes, chatelaines, thimbles and similar wares. The article will not include elaborate forgeries of museum quality silver made before 1850 or silver of other standards. Almost all the pieces we'll be discussing are made for the antique reproduction trade. This article will review some of the most common new and confusing marks appearing on 925/1000 silver and silver plate. This presents obvious problems for those interested in antique and collectible silver and silver plate. A new piece marked Unger Bros.– a 19th century firm known for quality silver – and 925 is legal as long as the silver content tests at 925. It is perfectly legal, for example, to stamp silver with trademarks or brand names of companies no longer in business or whose trademark is no longer registered. But while most governments strictly monitor standard marks, very few regulate marks not related to the content of precious metals. From pharaohs, Roman emperors and continuing today, fineness, or standard marks, have been used to guarantee minimum amounts of precious metal in relation to non-precious metal.Īt least that's the theory. Marks on precious metals have been regulated by law since ancient times. Hopefully someone with younger eyes can make it out.Confusing Marks on Sterling Silver and Silver Plate Have included a cropped brightened enlargement of that 3rd mark. The figure may be a standing eagle, a person in an elaborate costume, or who knows maybe E.T. The mark appears to have letters around the top and some sort of figure in the center. I can clearly see the Lion rampant and the lobster but not the one in the pointed ellipse, marquise, shape. Possibly later today, I'll have time to scan through them. I did save a few of his pewter marks pages on to my computer. No more!! Can't get to the archived pages any longer. After he died, I was still able to get to his pages via an archive web engine. was one if not the best pewter marks sites out there. I also haven't had time to look through my pewter references however, my pewter books are on 19th century and earlier pewter marks. Click to expand.Right, a definite sign that a piece is relatively new, 20th century.
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