Silver content

[PW333abc]

Hello!

I would be very grateful for answer regarding a question about Hallmarks. When did you start stamping silver items with the silver content?

Best regards

Per

[AG2012]

Hi,
In 1158, Henry II made 92.5% silver to 7.5% copper alloy the legal standard required of the British coinage and the standard was named Sterling Silver.
In 1300 Edward II passed a law saying that no item made in silver was allowed to be sold until it had been assayed and then marked with a leopard's head crowned. Initially the responsibility for this remained with goldsmiths elected by the mayor but in 1327,Edward III made the Goldsmith's Guild responsible for assaying and marking.
I doubt any country in the world had the assaying system older than UK.
Millesimal standard (e.g. 800, 830 ) appeared in the second half of 19th century in several countries, replacing Loth standard and town marks.
Regards

[PW333abc]

Hello!

Thank you for very much for your answer. So that means that an item in silver stamped 833 is manufactured in the second half of 19th century or later?

Best regards

Per

[AG2012]

Hi,

So that means that an item in silver stamped 833 is manufactured in the second half of 19th century or later?

Right,good example is hallmarking system in Germany:
https://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_marks_a1884.html

Town marks and Loth standard were replaced with Reichsmark (crescent and crown) with the addition of milesimal standards.
Russia abandoned 84 standard after the revolution.
Etc.

I suggest pages with marks for many countries at the top of this page.
Regards

[PW333abc]

Hello!

Thank you very much for the answer.
Have a nice weekend.

Best regards

Per

[Hose_dk]

So that means that an item in silver stamped 833 is manufactured in the second half of 19th century or later?

Absolutely not. Standard silver varies by country. some countries have 950 promille as standard.
And during centuries different standards applied. In Denmark since 1608 the standard was 830 ie they called it 13.½ lod.
13.5 out of 16.0 where the remaining 2.5 was cobber.
In german states - yes states the unification of germany was done durinbg Bismarc around second half 1800. Standard was 12 lod.

so standards vary 700 - and up. to 950 for objects.

Only american think that 925 is the only one.

[Hose_dk]

or dit i read your question wrong. I.e. you refer to the 3-figures in stamp. 830S or like.
In that case:
The standard 1000/1000 for fine silver was implemented late 1800dreds. Before that the standard would be lod.

[AG2012]

The question was about the actual marks and their appearance, not the standards.
Three digit marks fineness started late 19th century (800,830,830S,925 etc.)
Regards