| The British practice of Hallmarking has been apparent in Britain since 1300. Originally indicating that it was marked at Goldsmiths Hall, hallmarking dictates the date, maker of the Silver and place of Assay and also establishes the purity of metal used, which in Britain, consists of the Sterling mark (a Lion Passant). This unique system probably represented the first form of consumer protection world wide and coupled with the unbroken continuity of marks over the centuries, Hallmarking continues to be a unique source of great fascination for many people and also the main reason, coupled with the excellence of the Silversmith, that British Silver is held in such high regard. Today the assay offices open for hallmarking are London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Their marks are shown below.
The other main British assay offices which are no longer operational are Chester,Exeter,Glasgow,Newcastle & York
LEOPARDS HEAD OF LONDON:-
The first hallmark to be used for London was the leopard's head, in the year 1300. In that year Edward I laid down the decree that silver and gold could not be made or sold unless it was marked by the leopard's head also known as the 'Kings Mark' at that time. The Leopards head became crowned in 1478 until 1821 and since this time has remained as the distinguishing mark of London.
THE ANCHOR OF BIRMINGHAM:-
The mark of an Anchor was adopted as the towns mark when the Birmingham Office was established in 1773, largely due to the great Midland Industrialist, Matthew Boulton. According to sources, Birmingham and Sheffield offices tossed a coin for the marks derived from the sign of the 'Crown and Anchor tavern' in London. Birmingham is now the largest office in Europe.
THE CROWN & ROSE OF SHEFFIELD:-
 The Sheffield Assay Office was first opened in Norfolk Street, 1773 due to local Silversmiths resenting the inconvenience of sending their wares to London for hallmarking. They subsequently joined with Birmingham petitioners to ask Parliament for their own Offices. During the nineteenth century, Sheffield became a major manufacturing centre acquiring international reputation for its silver and cutlery. The Useage of the rose was not seen until 1975.
THE EDINBURGH CASTLE:-
The three-towered castle is the ancient hallmark of Scotland and has been regulated by parliament since 1485. The Assay office is the largest and now the only one now in operation in Scotland and has been marking silver since the late 15th century.
THE HARP OF DUBLIN:-
The Dublin Assay Office was established in 1637 originally holding the mark of a Harp crowned. In 1731 the seated figure of Hibernia was introduced to denote that a duty had been paid on the piece and was continually used thereafter to represent the Dublin Assay Office.
SILVER STANDARD:-
The minimum standard of silver within Britain has always been set at the Sterling standard (92.5 %), and this is represented by the Lion, either passant (English) or rampant (Scottish). There is a higher standard called Britannia (95.8 %) which was introduced in 1697 to combat the melting/conversion of silver coinage into silverware. Although the use of the Britannia silver standard was not compulsory after 1720, it is still an authorized alternative. Good quality old Britannia marked silver is quite rare and collectible and therefore command a slightly higher price.
The Lion Rampant For Sterling The Lion Passant For Sterling Britannia Silver In The Crowned Harp For
Silver In Scotland. Silver In England. Scotland & England. Sterling Silver In Ireland.
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