Austria 1891-1901: import mark + city

[orthogonal]

This hallmark is on a Russian spoon (1886). It looks like the Austrian "AV" import mark 1891-1901, but it's the first time I see it with an additional indication of the city (Vienna?).

When was it used?
What does AV even stand for?

[AG2012]

Hi,
Yes, it`s import mark of Austria-Hungary (1891-1901).
http://www.925-1000.com/Faustria_02.html
Letter ``A `` is for Vienna
Regards

[AG2012]

Hi again,
Interesting question regarding the exact meaning of ``AV``. Possibly ``Ausland`` (noun) or ``auslaendische`` (adjective) for ``foreign``, Vorrat , but just guessing.
There are two controversial issues.
1. ``Einfuhr`` (import) mark commonly described as import mark used between 1891 and 1901 seems to be used after 1872.
2. It was claimed here years ago that there should be no Austrian import mark on Russian silver (meaning fakes). Then, the mark appeared on several posted items and the statement was forgotten and Austrian import mark on Russian silver accepted.
Regards

[orthogonal]

Josef Sosnkowski, Warsaw

Does the additional city-letter indicate an era/sequence of the import mark?

[orthogonal]

I LOVE this site! I kind of found the answer in this thread. Sadly it's too small to read properly, but it's there:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31066

[Bahner]

Hello, according to Rohrwasser ("Österreichs Punzen", 1983) AV is for "Auslandsverkehr", "aus dem Ausland zum Handelsverkehr eingeführte Waren", which - very roughly - translates as "imported from a foreign country to be sold within Austria". Regards, Bahner

[AG2012]

As far as I can see there is no number beside ``A``. For example, A1, A2 etc would indicate Vienna sub offices, but as said, I downloaded and enlarged the image but could not see any number. So, it`s Vienna assay office.

[Qrt.S]

What is the actual question here?
The Austrian AV-import mark is clear. The maker is WerneriSa in Russian ruled Warsaw 1876-1896 but the business continued to 1939 by the partner and successor Karol F. Malcz. The anchor is Werner's trade mark. Using a trade mark is typical for Warzaw companies. OC is as mentioned Osip Sosnkowskij , the Russian assayer i Warsaw 1862-1896. 84 is the silver fineness mark in zolotniki i.e. 875/1000. The last mark to the right is the town mark for Warsaw, a double headed eagle. Good enough?

[orthogonal]

You all have been very helpful, thanks a lot!

"The actual question" was if the AV+city was used pre or post the plain AV-hallmark.

huszas76 posted an interesting image in another thread:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31066


It looks like:
1868 - 1871 plain AV (in octagon)
1872 - 1902 AV + city (in hexagon)

So far I have only seen AV (in hexagon) without the additional letter. So when did the city letter appear/disappear or were both variations used parallelly?

http://www.925-1000.com/Faustria_02.html
Here it says 1891 - 1901 for the plain AV-hallmark.

So maybe AV+city was used between 1871-1891.

[AG2012]

The most reliable reference is given here:
viewtopic.php?t=35107&start=20
Scroll down to
AUSTRIAN MARKS – 10
Pay attention to No. 58 and No 60. Number 58 (slightly different from Number 60) was used since 1872
(``seit 1872``). Number 60 was used since 1891.
Town marks were added the same year when they were added to Diana`s head, i.e. in 1872.

So far I have only seen AV (in hexagon) without the additional letter

Do you mean on silver or depicted elsewhere? If on silver, I would like to see images of the mark, because even Diana`s head without town mark is seldom seen. If you are referring to depicted marks, let’s not forget it`s often depicted as ``plain`` with a dot indicating the position of town mark.
If you look carefully there are dots here, too:
http://www.925-1000.com/Faustria_02.html

Bahner; thank you for Handelsverkehr