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I have a long time being wondering about the origin of this assaying mark:

In Postnikova you will find in as #3871 and identified as belonging to assayer Ivan Ado. However, it is only a drawing and not even a soot mark. That makes me wonder whether this is one of Postnikovas "mistakes" and she is showing a spurious mark. The assayer in the book ИА (Ivan Ado ) could as well be ИЛ (Ivan Lebedkin). The drawing is "unclear".

The reason for my doubts are that I have not managed to find a single word in the litterature/sources I have available that such a mark would exist. In the assay Charter of 1896 where the implementation of a new assaying mark, the left looking kokoshnik, was presented there is not a single world written (or haven't managed to find it) of the existence of the above showed kokoshnik mark.

As well known the launch of the new assaying mark took place during the latter part of 1898 and it turned out to be a total disaster. The St Petersburg Mint Office managed to produce a mark that did not fulfill the standard requested in the assay charter. Among other "faults" the fineness figures were too small. Therefore the distribution was quickly interrupted and only Lebekin, Lyapunov and Artsybashev received the faulty stamp. A new assaying stamp according to the ucaz was rapidly developed and the distribution started 1.1.1899 and the first version was abandoned (In a thread some (long) time ago I have showed the new marks. If necessary I can show them again.) This is nothing new, but what is strange is the assaying mark in the picture above.

My question is: Does anybody know some more about this irregular kokshink? Any comments are valuable and important in verifying the existence of this mark or in other cases deem it to be spurious. As for now I consider it more than dubious...

Thank you in advance for your comments

Hi -
you have to look for real existing assaying marks of this type on contemporary objects (millions were made...). If you do not find thhis mark- it is (was) not existent - the difference between books and reality....

Regards
Zolotnik

I'm talking about the official Assay Charters/ukaz and not "books" in that sense. Those "books" were the law and if there is not a sign of this mark in those "books/papers", it is a fake mark! When and I say when, you find this mark on an object (I have seen it once in a while) but you don't find it in the "books", something is wrong! Now the question remains. What do you know about this mark?

Hi.

It's absolutely legal mark. This sign of the certificate (guarantee mark) was used during the first (short) period, when "kokoshnik to the left" (1899). Subsequently this sign became in a round cartouche, as habitual kind. (1899-1908).
Also, as there is an early type of oval mark "kokoshnik to the left" (with small figures) and there is a usual kind.

What is the source for this claim that this mark would be legal. I haven't seen it mentioned in any sources or books. In Postnikova there is one picture #3871 that she claims to be Ivan Ado. I think it is a mistake. So my questions is still what is the base for your claim of the mark being genuine?

The small figure kokoshnik is a legal but out of standard mark used only during the latter part of 1898 and abandoned as from 1899. What is the connection to this mark?