Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks
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Town Marks of France ~ Before 1789 IV
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Valois Arms
French Town & City Marks
before 1789
Hallmarking in France began as early as the mid-thirteenth century. Initially only with a town or 'maison commune' mark. The individual maker's mark began its appearance in 14th century Paris and spread to the outlying areas. In 1460, a royal edict called for the use of the variable date letter with crowned top. The 'countermark', the first official type of standard guarantee mark used by French assay masters, was decreed in 1543. In 1672 appeared the 'charge' and 'discharge' marks, both essentially duty marks, but the first also functioned as a further standard guarantee.
Various combinations of the above marks were used at various times and in different areas. Below are illustrated most of the town marks of France listed with the city having jurisdiction over them.
Bourbon Arms

French  Town  Marks  Menu
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Town Mark Community Year Commenced Jurisdiction
Langheac Town Hallmark Langheac 1784 Riom
Langres Town Hallmark Langres 1566 Troyes
Laon Town Hallmark Laon - Reims
La Rochelle Town Hallmark La Rochelle 1698 La Rochelle
Laval Town Hallmark Laval - Angers
Le Havre Town Hallmark Le Havre 15?? Rouen
Le Mans Town Hallmark Le Mans 1757 Tours
Les Sables Town Hallmark Les Sables 168? Poitiers
Le Vigan Town Hallmark Le Vigan 1775 Montpellier
Liesse Town Hallmark Liesse 1749 Reims
Lille Town Hallmark Lille - Lille
Limoges Town Hallmark Limoges 1719 Limoges
Lisieux Town Hallmark Lisieux 1750 Caen
Longwy Town Hallmark Longwy - Metz
Lons le Saulnier Town Hallmark Lons le Saulnier 1780 Besançon
Lorient Town Hallmark Lorient 1745 Nantes
Loudon Town Hallmark Loudon 1646 Tours
Lunel Town Hallmark Lunel 1775 Montpellier
Lucon Town Hallmark Luçon 1758 Poitiers
Lyon Town Hallmark Lyon - Lyon
Macon Town Hallmark Macon 1600 Dijon
Manosque Town Hallmark Manosque - Aix
Mantes Town Hallmark Mantes - Paris
Marennes Town Hallmark Marennes 1777 La Rochelle
Marseille Town Hallmark Marseille 12?? Aix
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French  Town  Marks  Menu
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Related Pages at 925-1000.com:
French Hallmarks
World Hallmarks
British Hallmarks Explained
Dutch Hallmarks
German Hallmarks
Austrian Hallmarks
Swedish Hallmarks
Finnish Hallmarks
Norwegian Makers
David-Andersen Marks
Georg Jensen Marks
Mexican Silver Marks


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