The English Hallmarking System

In this section we aim to provide useful information concerning our stock with easy to understand jargon free explanations of the delights of antique silver.



Since the end of the 12th century the craft of the Silversmith as been regulated by the hallmark. Most items of English, Scottish and Irish Silver bear marks which enable the year, place of assay and also the maker’s name to be definitively traced. The experience gained by centuries of investigation has resulted in the evolution of a complete hallmarking system. Above is the hallmark for the Holford Candelabra (search: Holford) and is an excellent example of the evolved English hallmark. From left to right: Makers Mark, the Lion Passant, Assay office mark, the Date Letter and the Duty Mark.

The Makers Mark:

The makers mark is usually signified by a series of initials, in this case ISH identifies the illustrious John Samuel Hunt of the Royal Goldsmiths: Mortimer and Hunt. Each initial is housed is a shaped cartouche. On the occurrence of silversmiths having the same initials the mark can often be distinguished by the date of registration and shape of the cartouche.

Lion Passant:

The Lion Passant is the mark guaranteeing the standard of silver as sterling. In order to be sterling standard the silver must be 92.5% pure or as is commonly termed must be ‘925 standard’. This is the mark that guarantees the purity of the silver.

Assay Office Mark:

Here, the Leopard’s Head signifies that the piece was assayed in London. Each major manufacturing city or town had its own assay office and marked pieces accordingly, for example an anchor is used for pieces from Birmingham.

Date Letter

The date letter is characterised much the same way as the makers mark. A single letter in series’ of 20, missing j,w,x,y,z, in lower and upper cases and different typefaces denoting the exact year the piece was made. This Gothick style ‘D’ indicates the piece was made in 1839.

Duty Mark:

The Sovereigns head shows that duty has been paid on the piece bearing it. It appears on all articles made between 1st December, 1784 and 30th April 1890. Here, Queen Victoria faces left.

How to identify hallmarks:

Only the most learned collectors and dealers are able to identify hallmarks by sight, consequently some point of reference is required. We would recommend these four books for quick reference. Firstly Bradbury’s book of hallmarks is the definitive easy reference guide to Date Letters. London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks & Lives by Arther G. Grimwade. The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths 1838-1914 by John Culme and Jackson’s Silver and Gold Marks edited by Ian Picford are all definitive works on makers, their marks and lives, each are excellent reference guides for their period.




Here we explain how to identify the marks above from the Uxbridge Candelabra (search: Uxbridge). Firstly the Lion Passant is present indicating the item as British Sterling Silver. Secondly, again London, the leopard’s head assay mark. Thirdly the Duty Mark George IV, fourthly the date letter lowercase ‘m’ for 1827 and fifth and finaly the Makers Mark, a script ‘RG’ with crown above, accrediting the piece to the Royal Silversmith Robert Garrard.

A hallmark is a guarantee. Each hallmark tells the story of the article it appears on, from the place of origin, to the year of manufacture each piece can be identified to finite detail. It is thanks to this excellent system of classification that English Silver remains one of the most accountable antique art forms.