Maker ИВК Kostroma

[numis.geneve]

Hello again, could you please tell me who was the maker ИВК in Kostroma(has the letter mark).
Could someone please explain me in which cases was this type of Kokoshnik mark used, I assume it also started 1908?
Thank you

[Ubaranda]

The maker is Ivan Vasilyevich Kozin (Иван Васильевич Козин) from village Krasnoye near Kostroma. He worked after 1908.

Best regards. Alex.

[numis.geneve]

Thank you very much Alex. Do you know why some makers used this type of Kokoshnik instead of the classic one, could it have something to do with objects made for export, or just to make it smaller

[Ubaranda]

The mark as "shovel" was used for silver of better quality.

[Qrt.S]

No, no no, this shovel mark was used on items that weighted less than 2 zolotniks (8,53 grams) later 10 grams. It was also punched on small items that had no additionals or soldered-on pieces. It has nothing to do with "better quality" whatsoever.

[numis.geneve]

Thank you Qrt.s, but this spoon is around 30 grams if not 40, what does it mean then, fake? Really doesnt look like it...

[numis.geneve]

Oh i see, you meant that items with no soldered pieces, can be more than 10...

[Qrt.S]

Yes on the nail, you did notice that I stated "also". This mark is often seen on e.g. crosses, pendants, spoons, forks, cigarette holders, pens, rings etc. They certainly weight more than 10 grams

[Ubaranda]

Hi Qrt.S!

I hope that you can read in Russian.
"Пробы для изделий из серебра более высокого качества" means "Marks for silver items of better quality".
"8.5 gramm" relates to small gold items.

[Qrt.S]

Hello Ubaranda,

Yes, I can read but that is a poor expression I would call it incorrect information. There are actually some "misunderstandings" in Postnikova. This is one of those. I have registered about 200 cases. If you think a second you realize it yourself. What is "better quality" supposed to be? Do you have a definition of it? No, because there is none. The text actually talks about "precious objects". That means objects in silver and/or gold.

Here is the correct definition:
This shovel mark exists in two sizes i.e. 6x3mm and 4x2mm. It was used on gold and silver objects as I mentioned in my previous input. The bigger mark can be found in 4 fineness standards i.e 56, 72, 84 and 88 zolotnik. The smaller mark on 9 standards 56, 72, 82, 84, 88, 91, 92, 94 and 95 zolotnik.
Usually punched on <8,52 gr objects but also on other heavier objects with certain limitations that I mentioned earlier.

[Ubaranda]

I think Postnikova-Loseva didn't mistake. You must read "better quality items" rather than "better quality silver". Did you see "shovel" mark on the ordinary spoons, forks etc.? Only on nice items with engraving, niello etc.

[Qrt.S]

Yes I have seen it many many times. The shovel mark is a very common mark on e.g. spoons. What does "better quality items" mean ? There is no other definition than the fineness of a gold or silver object and the standards are set to the mentioned ones. If you mean craftsmanship with "better quality" then who set the standards, better than what and what was the best? The assayer who punched the mark didn't care a rotten dime for quality. His only interest was that the fineness kept the minimum standard set by the assay charter.