Ancient french hallmarks, fineness and guaranty

[hagg1997]

I'd like to know during 1809 - 1838 why a silver fineness mark and a silver guarantee mark stamped together? the silver guarantee mark obviously unnecessary...it's really confused...thank you!

[dognose]

Hi,

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Trev.

[hagg1997]

[JayT]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Please see the following for French marks:

http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks.html

The guarantee mark disappears only in 1838. It was not a guarantee of the silver content of an object, but rather a guarantee that tax had been paid. It replaced the charge and discharge marks of the pre-revolutionary period. Therefore your object (flatware?) is appropriately marked for the time period.

Hope this helps to clarify.

[hagg1997]

Thank you! yes, I ever considered that the guarantee mark worked that way, your answer helps...

But according to the link you posted, the guarantee mark appeared from 1789, not 1838

[JayT]

You have misunderstood my response.

The link I posted is to this website. It is a table that gives the different guarantee marks over time in France.

To summarize:
1798-1809: guarantee mark is the old man (tête de vieillard) in an oval reserve with a number that indicates the tax bureau.
1809-1819: guarantee mark for Paris is one of 3 marks depending on the size of the object. The guarantee marks for the provinces are different than the ones for Paris. Consult the table to see these marks.
1819-1838: guarantee mark for Paris is the head of Michaelangelo facing right in an octagonal reserve. The guarantee marks for the provinces are different than the ones in Paris. Consult the table to see these marks.
1838 - present: guarantee mark disappears.

Hope this helps.