German silver hallmarks represent centuries of Germanic silversmithing tradition, with distinctive marks varying by region and historical period.
German silver typically uses marks like 800, 835, or 925, indicating silver content in parts per thousand. The moon and crown symbols often accompany these numbers.
Different German cities and regions developed their own marking systems, with places like Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg having distinctive symbols.
Pre-unification German states had separate marking systems, while modern German silver follows EU standards while maintaining traditional elements.