Victorian silver hallmarks — what do they mean?

British silver from 1837–1901 is among the most strictly marked in the world. Four tiny stamps can tell you the metal, the city, the year, and the maker.

The standard mark — the lion passant

A walking lion in profile certifies the metal as sterling silver (92.5% pure). Without this mark, an item is almost never genuine British silver from the period — it may be silver plate or continental.

The assay office mark

This tells you which city tested the piece. The most common Victorian marks are an anchor (Birmingham), a leopard's head (London), a crown (Sheffield, on flatware), and a castle (Edinburgh).

The date letter

A single letter inside a shaped shield identifies the year of assay. Each assay office cycled through the alphabet on its own schedule, so the same letter means different years in different cities. Cross-reference with the assay office mark to pin down the exact year.

The maker's mark

Usually two or three initials in a rectangular punch. This is the silversmith or sponsor who submitted the piece for assay. Famous Victorian makers include Hilliard & Thomason, Nathaniel Mills, and George Unite.

The duty mark (1784–1890)

A small profile of the reigning monarch's head shows duty tax was paid. Victorian pieces carry Queen Victoria's portrait until the duty was abolished in 1890.