Peter W.. Rowe, wrote:

In the United Kingdom, precious metals marking are done as actual hallmarks,
meaning the marks are applied by an independent testing/marking entity, in this
case, run by the goverment hallmark office. A full British hallmark includes
not only the makers mark and one or more marks indicating the karat or quality
of the metal, but also a mark indicating which of the hallmark offices placed
the mark, and the year it was marked.

The date mark consists of a letter in a shield. A compete 'run' would be
26 years, one for each letter in the alphabet, but I don't think it was
ever done: most runs being 25 years with I, J or V being omitted. Some
runs are only 20 years. Runs are separated by the use of different fonts
and different shaped shields. Up until 2000 (or thereabouts) the date
mark was standard, but alas, it is now optional and costs extra. Such is
progress.


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Regards, Gary Wooding
(To reply by email, change feet to foot in my address)

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