Silver Hallmarks from Around the World



In a previous article, we explained in detail about the hallmarks of British silverware.
Hallmarks of British Silverware (Stamps)

Other countries also have hallmark systems for silverware, and stamps are applied.

Although many do not have as detailed a system or as strict enforcement as the UK, we will introduce some representative examples.
※Silver purity is generally expressed in parts per thousand (permille), so it is shown as 800 (80%) and so on.

 

France

The history of French hallmarks is also old, with a royal decree issued by King Philip III of France in 1275 mandating marks on silverware.

Purity is generally two types: 950 (premier = first) and 800 (deuxieme = second).
Since the marks differ by era, we will introduce those from 1839 to 1973.

Minerva (larger mark)
　

A purity of 950 is indicated by the number "1" next to the forehead
A purity of 800 is indicated by the number "2" next to the neck

Boar and Crab (small items like accessories)
　

Paris uses the boar, other regions use the crab, purity is 800
They are quite small and hard to find.

Mercury (export items)

Marks applied to items exported outside France
Purity is 950 if there is the number "1", 800 if the number "2"

Man and Swan (import items)

Marks applied to items imported from outside France
The man is a larger mark, the swan is for small items

 

Germany

Different marks were used depending on the city, but around 1886 they were unified to a crown with a crescent moon.
Purity is mostly 800, but 925 and others also exist.
Purity is usually stamped as a number next to the mark.

 

Switzerland

From 1880 to 1933, purity was 875 or higher (bear) and 800 (ptarmigan).
Since 1933, purity has been 925 (duck) and 800 (ptarmigan).
Often stamped on Swiss-made silver pocket watch cases and the like.

 

Italy

Systematized since 1872, but there are few official stamps; mostly only numbers indicating purity are stamped.

 

United States

Not unified, but most 925 sterling silver items have the "STERLING" stamp.

 

Summary

Hallmarks outside the UK mostly indicate only purity, and often do not reveal manufacturing year or maker.
This shows how strictly the British hallmark system is operated and how highly trusted it is.

 

List of silverware here