Sterling silver is a popular metal for jewelry, flatware, and other decorative items. It is composed of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper, and is stamped with a hallmark to indicate its purity. This hallmark is known as a silver mark, and it can tell you a lot about the item you are looking at. If you are interested in antique silver, it is important to be able to identify old sterling silver marks.
A silver mark is a stamp or engraving placed on silver items to indicate their purity. It is usually found on the bottom or back of the item, and is often accompanied by other marks such as the makers mark or the date mark. Silver marks can be used to identify the maker of an item, its age, and its purity.
There are three main types of silver marks: the standard mark, the town mark, and the date letter. The standard mark is the most common and indicates the purity of the silver. It usually consists of a lion passant, which is a representation of the leopard used on British coins, and the number 925, which indicates that the item is 92.5 percent pure silver. The town mark is a symbol that indicates the city or town where the item was made. The date letter is a letter that indicates the year the item was made.
Identifying old sterling silver marks can be tricky, as the marks can be worn or obscured over time. However, there are some tips that can help. First, look for the lion passant and the number 925, which indicate that the item is sterling silver. Then, look for the town mark, which will tell you where the item was made. Finally, look for the date letter, which will tell you the year the item was made. It is important to note that the date letter can be difficult to identify, as it is usually in a script font.
Identifying old sterling silver marks can be a challenge, but it is an important skill to have if you are interested in collecting antique silver. By looking for the lion passant, the number 925, the town mark, and the date letter, you can determine the age and origin of an item. With a little bit of practice, you can become an expert in identifying old sterling silver marks.