internationally recognized as a guarantee of purity. Don’t confuse hallmarks with maker's marks, logos, company trademarks, and simple number marks such as 375 or 925.
While such number marks are used to indicate purity or content they are never to be considered as hallmarks unless they are accompanied by the official standard mark of the country of origin.

Country Marks:
Almost every country requires official marks or symbols to be used as the hallmarks for their precious metals standards. Probably the best known of all is the Lion Passant used by England to guarantee sterling since the 14th century.

City Marks:
A mark or symbol used in many countries to denote the city where the item was made. The leopard head representing London and the anchor representing Birmingham are two of the best known and most commonly seen for sale.

Maker's Marks:
These are the registered names, initials, trademarks, logos, brands, symbols, or other marks used over several centuries by silversmiths and manufacturing companies to identify their wares. You will usually find these struck or imprinted onto an inconspicuous place on the item along with the hallmark and other marks.

Date Marks:
Also known as Date Codes, these are unique symbols, characters, letters, or numbers used by the better known manufacturers as a means of dating the production year of their merchandise.
These are usually recorded and are very useful in accurately dating many items. However many companies and makers didn’t use these date marks making the actual process of identifying a precise date very difficult.

Pseudo Marks:
These marks were created by silversmiths to copy the well known and long established British sterling hallmarks. These silversmiths usually made silver plate items and items of lesser purity than sterling.
The marks were designed to give a perception of sterling quality about their work in order to profit on the reputation and renown of British sterling.

This doesn’t make them fakes as many pseudo marks are legitimately registered trademarks of reputable firms which manufacture in sterling, and silver plate to a high quality. However many have and this is an important thing to know.

Pseudo marks are often mistaken for British sterling hallmarks so buyers and sellers alike must be able to recognize them. This is one of the main reasons why research is so critical to successful selling.

Pattern Numbers:
These are proprietary numbers which are often found along with the hallmarks and maker's marks. These are used by the manufacturer for patent registration, pattern identification and inventory control.

Properly identifying and listing silver items gives sellers credibility and a competitive edge over the hundreds of uninformed sellers in this market. Previous - Sell Silver on eBay (part 1)

Do you Need a hallmark Guide?

Hallmarks are the key to valuing silver and gold and if you have ever struggled to identify a hallmark – and let’s face it even experts cannot remember all of them, then you need portable expert information at your fingertips.

Understanding Gold and Silver Hallmarks is a complete guide to British hallmarks and assay marks that can be downloaded straight to your computer, i phone and mobile device for only £2.99

This e book includes all marks from 1678 right up until the present day and also contains a section on international marks.

No need to learn or memorise the hallmarks, just keep the guide handy and check the details before you buy or sell.

Only £2.99 (digital delivery)

Sell Silver on eBay? (part 1)