General info needed on kt.

[Doos]

Hi all,

I need to do some writing and my tardy states that prior to 1798 the legal standard for gold was 22kt.
Is that correct?

Alain
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[dognose]

Hi, If you are enquiring of the British system, as I understand it, from 1477 to 1575 it was 18 carat, from 1575 to 1798 it was raised to 22 carat, in 1798 the 18 carat standard was reintroduced as well as the 22 carat. 1854 saw the introduction of 9, 12 and 15 carats, In 1932, 12 and 15 carats were dropped and replaced by the new standard of 14 carats.
regards Trev.
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[georgiansilver]

22ct Gold and silver were marked with the exact same standard mark until 1798 apart from 1697-1720 during the compulsory Britannia standard for silver. The introduction of 18ct gold in 1798 saw a distinct gold marking FOR THE FIRST TIME. 22ct continued to be marked the same as silver until 1844. So Doos you were absolutely spot on. Best wishes, Mike.
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[Doos]

Thanks to both of you.
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[dognose]

Hi Alain and Mike,
I just want to clarify one point, the Legal Standard for gold from 1477 until 1575 was 18 carats (Statute 17 Edw.1V. c.1)
regards Trev.
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[georgiansilver]

Hi Trev...yes friend..no dispute there. Prior to 1477 the standard for gold was 19.2 ct but it was then lowered to 18ct and in 1575 it was raised to 22ct.
Best wishes, Mike.
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