Assay office marks indicate where silver items were tested and hallmarked, providing crucial information about origin and quality standards.
The main British assay offices each have distinctive marks: London (leopard's head), Birmingham (anchor), Sheffield (crown), and Edinburgh (castle). Each represents centuries of silversmithing tradition.
Other countries have their own assay office systems, with France using different symbols for Paris, Lyon, and other centers, while Germany and other European nations maintain their own marking traditions.
Assay office marks guarantee that items have been independently tested for purity, providing consumer protection and maintaining industry standards.