Need help identifying the date and authenticity of this piece.

[PhossyJaw]

Not sure if this vesta case is sterling silver. Need to know the date of this piece and if it is genuine. Are these hallmarks real or fake, and what do they say? I hope I've posted the images correctly below.

[SteveDWollongong]

Hi PhossyJaw,

Your vesta case is sterling silver and period correct.

The hallmarks read from left to right:

G.L - - maker mark of George Loveridge & Co, Spencer St Birmingham

Lion passant - British mark for sterling silver(925)

Date letter - I can't make this out well enough to give you a date but will be somewhere around 1897 - early 1900's. With a better photo, I can give you the year.

Anchor - Birmingham Assay mark.

Cheers,
Steve

[SteveDWollongong]

Hi,

See also: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=8565&p=140134&hilit=loveridge#p140134

Cheers,
Steve

[SteveDWollongong]

I've copied your photo and enhanced as best I could and think I can just make out the letter 'g'. If correct, your vesta was made in 1906.


Cheers,
Steve

[PhossyJaw]

Thanks very much for your help! Is this a close enough image of the date letter?

[SteveDWollongong]

Sorry, the photo is still poor. If you look at the photo on your screen and can't clearly see what letter it is, then neither can I.

Are you in possession of the vesta to take another photo or even just tell me which letter it is?

Cheers,
Steve

[PhossyJaw]

Should be arriving in the post in a couple of days, then I'll try and take a decent photo. :)

[silvermakersmarks]

The date letter is almost certainly "y" for 1898. Note that the anchor is sideways so the last possible date (for this period) is 1899 as the anchor reverted to an upright attitude with the new date letter cycle starting in 1900.

Phil

[SteveDWollongong]

Thanks Phil, problem solved. I knew about the anchor rotation but forgot to consider it. I agree, it has to 'y', therefore 1898.

Steve

[Brenda1508]

Hi, Im not sure how to start a new topic or if i post here as i have just joined. I need some info about a piece i have just bought and can identify its birmingham but cannot find the w that my piece has on it. Can someone please help me find a way of opening a topic or adding pics, im not finding the site very easy to use. Thankyou