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Rare Gold and Silver Hallmarks
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Some Hallmarks on
Gold and Silver are rarer either because the Assay Office is
no longer operating or the hall marks refer to special years
or events.
The Assay hallmarks
feature; Chester, Exeter, Glasgow and Newcastle. Chester
was closed in 1962 and Glasgow was closed in 1964. In the
Victorian era Exeter was closed in
1883 and Newcastle was closed in 1884.
Between 1784 and
1890 an excise on gold and silver articles was collected by
the Assay Offices and a mark depicting the Sovereign’s head
was struck to show that it had been paid.
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Former Assay Office Marks
Several of the larger provincial cities had Assay Offices which are
now closed. Each has a distinctive mark.
There is also an Assay Office in Dublin and marks struck there
before 1st April 1923 are recognised as approved British Hallmarks.
The Dublin Mark is a figure of Hibernia.
Dublin hallmark
Assay Office Mark
From 1975 all United Kingdom Assay Offices used a common date
Letter.
Assay common date letters.
Duty Marks
Between 1784 and 1890 an excise on gold and silver articles was
collected by the Assay Offices and a mark depicting the Sovereign’s
head was struck to show that it had been paid.
Examples of Sovereigns duty marks.
Commemorative Marks
There are 4 other marks to commemorate special events: the Silver
Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935, the Coronation of
Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, her Silver Jubilee in 1977, and the new
Millennium.
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