Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks
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Town Marks of France ~ Before 1789 VI
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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
Reims Town Hallmark Reims 1560 Reims
Rennes Town Hallmark Rennes 1579 Rennes
Rethel Town Hallmark Rethel 1560 Reims
Riez Town Hallmark Riez - Aix
Riom Town Hallmark Riom - Riom
Rochefort Town Hallmark Rochefort 1713 La Rochelle
Rodez Town Hallmark Rodez 1777 Toulouse
Saintes Town Hallmark Saintes 1758 La Rochelle
Saint Esprit Town Hallmark Saint Esprit
and Bagnols 		1777 Montpellier
Saint Flour Town Hallmark Saint Flour 1785 Riom
Saint Germain Town Hallmark Saint Germain en Laye - Paris
St. Jean d'Angely Town Hallmark Saint Jean d'Angely 1779 La Rochelle
Saint Lo Town Hallmark Saint Lô - Caen
St. Malo Town Hallmark Saint Malo 168? Rennes
Saint Maixent Town Hallmark Saint Maixent - Poitiers
Saint-Martin Town Hallmark Saint Martin de Ré 1785 La Rochelle
Sainte-Menehould Town Hallmark Sainte Menehould 1742 Reims
Saint-Omer Town Hallmark Saint Omer - Lille
Saint-Quentin Town Hallmark Saint Quentin
and Péronne 		1748 Amiens
Salins Town Hallmark Salins 1640 Besançon
Saumur Town Hallmark Saumur 1749 Angers
Sedan Town Hallmark Sedan 1575 Metz
Semur en Auxois Town Hallmark Semur en Auxois 1701 Dijon
Senlis Town Hallmark Senlis - Paris
Sens Town Hallmark Sens 1745 Paris
Soissons Town Hallmark Soissons 1734 Reims
Strasbourg Town Hallmark Strasbourg - Strasbourg
Tarascon Town Hallmark Tarascon - Aix
Thouars Town Hallmark Thouars 1714 Poitiers
Toul Town Hallmark Toul 1653 Metz
Toulon Town Hallmark Toulon 1712 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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