When buying an antique piece of silver or when discovering one to be stuck in the closet of your own home, you can find or guess more about it by considering the hallmark. It can help you authenticate and identify your item. The hallmark is a mark struck or impressed on silver which indicates the precious metal’s karat and fineness. Generally these marks describe the purity and quality of the silver used in the making of the item.
Sterling silver hallmarks denoting the assay date of the silver piece as being 1750 and as having been assayed in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Most often, however, the hallmark includes some further information. Depending on the country, in which the silver item was made, you can often find a maker’s mark as well as the place and date of assay. The latter two symbols can consist of a letter or a number. The silver hallmark can also include an export or import stamp and a tax or duty one. The different countries have different silver hallmarking systems varying in complexity and bringing different kinds of information about the piece.
Check your silver item carefully as the hallmarks are frequently not too obvious and in concealed parts so as not to detract from the esthetics of your silver. You should have in mind that not all silver pieces have hallmarks. In England and France these indications of silver purity and manufacture have been used since the 14th century. You will certainly find the majority of antique silver items coming from Europe to have hallmarks. But the ones made in the United States prior the beginning of the 20th century usually do not have identifications apart from some 19th century jewelry items.
There are printed catalogues including wide ranges of silver hallmarks. However, comprehensive lists of hallmarks including pictures and sketched graphs can be found online as well. If you are still unable to identify the pieces or pieces, check with your local library to see if they have any resource books on silver hallmarks and you might also consider taking it to an antique shop specializing in antique silver or even to a local museum.
