Your silver will have a hallmark called a date letter. This marking will tell you when it was produced. However, the date letters used differ depending on where the silver was assayed. For example, the date letter for 1898 in London is a lowercase c, but in Sheffield, its a lowercase f.

How do you read silver markings?

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 MAKERS MARK.

What do the letters mean on silver?

They include: 1) symbol for the town in which the silver content was certified, called an assay or town mark; 2) symbol for the year of manufacture called the date letter; 4) symbol for the standard mark guaranteeing the silver content. The English silver standard is also 925/1000.

What is the anchor mark on silver?

The anchor was adopted as the assay office mark by Birmingham and the crown by Sheffield, supposedly as a result of the delegations meeting at a public house in London called the Crown and Anchor. The guardians of the Assay Office meet annually in July when, until 1975, the date letter was changed.

What does R mean on silver?

The letter R is a date indicator. You will have to go to the Encyclopedia of Silver Marks website to look up the mark.

What does the letter c mean on silver?

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. This is still the standard for sterling silver.

What are the symbols on sterling silver?

These are some of the most common:SterlingSterling silver925925/100092.5% pureLion passant, or a lion with one paw raised, for sterling made in England.Thistle mark, for sterling made in Scotland.Crowned harp, for sterling made in Ireland.