English sterling silver marks represent the highest standard of British silversmithing, with the lion passant serving as the primary indicator of 925 fine silver.
Sterling Silver Standard
The sterling silver standard of 925 parts per thousand has been used in England since medieval times, guaranteed by the lion passant mark.
Complete Sterling Hallmarks
Full English sterling hallmarks include the lion passant (quality), assay office mark (location), date letter (year), and maker's mark (craftsman).
Sterling Silver Authentication
Proper sterling authentication requires understanding all hallmark components and how they work together to guarantee silver quality and origin.
If you want more in-depth details you should check out the app Silver Marks to identify over 15,000 marks.