Duty Mark 1880s Birmingham

[yorkish]

The year letter on this ring isn't very clear but seems to be 'h' and the font indicates 1882 i think.
The duty mark was abolished in 1890, but it isn't present on the ring.
Does this mean the ring is "fake" or have i mis-read the year letter?
Any thoughts about the sponsor's mark L F N (or could it be L E N) ?

[yorkish]

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[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The maker's mark is LEN for Lewis Edwin Neale of Northampton Street, Birmingham, variously described as a jeweller and "ring manufacturer".

Birmingham Assay Office had a particular form of their hallmark for use from around 1882 on items which were below the dutiable weight but which were sent for marking. Instead of the oval date letter punch they used a rectangular, cut-corner punch and, as no duty was payable, the duty mark was omitted. Your ring, with the 1882 "h", would have been one of the first to be treated in this way.

Phil

[yorkish]

Many thanks for such a prompt reply.

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying that no duty was payable because the ring is lightweight in terms of grammes (as opposed to, for example, the weight of a teaspoon?) and not lightweight in terms of silver content.

So the ring is still 925 sterling silver (because it has the lion standard mark?)

Incidentally, can i post queries about gold and platinum hallmarks on here?

Thanks again.

[AG2012]

Hi,
Lightweight in terms of weight (grams).It is of sterling fineness .925 (92.5% silver in the alloy).
Regarding the weight, many countries had different marks for small and big articles, the fineness being identical.
Silver and other precious metals are discussed here.
Regards

[yorkish]

Thanks for this information.
Comprehensive, informative and very useful for a novice like me.