Hallmarks & Stamps Guide

The highest commercially available gold purity, used in investment-grade bullion bars and coins such as the Canadian Maple Leaf. Also called "four nines" fine. Required for London Good Delivery bars.

Represents 99.9% pure gold, equivalent to 24 karats. Used on many investment bars and coins worldwide. Slightly softer than 999.9 but still considered fine gold. Common on Chinese Panda coins.

The minimum accepted fineness for London Good Delivery gold bars. At 99.5% purity, these bars are the global standard for wholesale gold trading and central bank reserves.

A high-purity gold fineness at 99.0%, sometimes used in East Asian and Southeast Asian jewelry markets. Less common than 999 but still considered investment-grade quality.

Corresponds to 23-karat gold (95.8% pure). Rarely used in Western markets but found in some Middle Eastern and Asian jewelry. Also used in certain British coin issues historically.

Represents 22-karat gold (91.6% pure). The standard for British sovereign gold coins and widely used in Indian and Middle Eastern jewelry. Durable enough for everyday wear while remaining high-purity.

The most popular gold standard for fine jewelry in Western markets. At 75% pure gold, it balances excellent purity with practical durability. The "750" hallmark is required by law in many European countries.

Represents 14-karat gold (58.5% pure). The most common gold standard in the United States for jewelry. Offers good durability and lower cost while still qualifying as fine gold jewelry.

The Soviet-era 14-karat gold mark used in Russian/Soviet jewelry. At 58.3% gold, it is nearly identical to international 585 gold. Pieces stamped 583 are commonly found in Eastern European estate jewelry.

Represents 12-karat gold (50% pure). Relatively uncommon in modern jewelry but found in some vintage pieces and certain European markets. Considered the minimum for "gold" designation in some systems.

The minimum karat that can legally be called "gold" in the United States. At 41.7% pure gold, 10K is the most durable but least pure standard jewelry gold. Very common in affordable American jewelry.

Represents 9-karat gold (37.5% pure). The minimum gold standard in the United Kingdom and popular in British, Australian, and Irish jewelry. More affordable than higher karats and quite durable.

Represents 8-karat gold (33.3% pure). Common in German and some Scandinavian jewelry markets. Contains only one-third gold and is the minimum fineness permitted as gold in Germany.

Investment-grade fine silver at 99.9% purity. Used in bullion coins like the American Silver Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and most modern silver bars. Too soft for everyday jewelry without alloying.

A high-purity silver alloy at 98% silver. Primarily used in Mexican and some Latin American silverware and jewelry. Less common than 925 sterling but higher in actual silver content.

The Britannia silver standard at 95.8% purity. Introduced in England in 1697 to prevent melting of sterling coins. Higher purity than sterling, used in fine silverware and some modern British bullion coins.

A 95% silver standard historically used in French silverware and also common in Japanese and some South American silver. Purer than sterling and often found on antique Continental European pieces.

The international standard for sterling silver: 92.5% silver alloyed with 7.5% copper for durability. Originated in medieval England and is now the global benchmark for silver jewelry and flatware. The most recognized silver hallmark worldwide.

The 90% silver standard used in US coinage from 1792 to 1964. Dimes, quarters, halves, and dollars minted before 1965 contain this alloy. Also used in some European coins and Latin American silverware.

An 83.5% silver alloy common in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian silverware and jewelry. Widely used across Central Europe historically. Often found in vintage German flatware sets.

An 83% silver alloy particularly common in Scandinavian (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish) silverwork. Found frequently in antique Scandinavian jewelry, spoons, and decorative pieces.

An 80% silver standard widely used in Central European (German, Italian, Austrian) silverware and cutlery. Has a more yellowish or slightly different appearance than sterling. Very common in European estate silver.

The most common platinum jewelry standard at 95% purity. Used extensively in fine jewelry, particularly engagement and wedding rings. Hallmarked as PT950, Pt950, or simply 950. Highly durable and hypoallergenic.

A 90% platinum alloy common in Japanese jewelry, where it is the traditional standard. Also used in some industrial applications. Slightly harder than PT950 due to the higher alloy content.

An 85% platinum alloy that is less common but used in some older and industrial-grade platinum pieces. More alloy than PT950 or PT900, making it harder but containing less pure platinum.

The most important British hallmark — a walking lion (lion passant) stamped on sterling silver to confirm 92.5% purity. Introduced in 1544 under Henry VIII. The definitive mark of British sterling silver.

A seated figure of Britannia, used to mark the higher 958 (Britannia) silver standard introduced in 1697 to prevent silversmiths from melting down silver coins. Still used today for Britannia standard silver.

A crown symbol stamped on British gold articles to confirm the metal meets the required gold standard. Used from 1844 until metrication in 1975, when it was replaced by the numeric fineness mark on most items.

An orb symbol used in British hallmarking to identify articles made of platinum. Introduced when platinum became a hallmarkable metal in the UK in 1975. Always accompanied by the fineness number (e.g., 950).

The town mark of the London Assay Office — a crowned leopard head. One of the oldest English hallmarks, used since 1300. The crown was removed from the design in 1821. Identifies London as the assay office.

The town mark of the Birmingham Assay Office — an anchor. The Birmingham office was founded in 1773 largely through the efforts of Matthew Boulton. Today, Birmingham is one of the busiest assay offices in the UK.

The town mark of the Sheffield Assay Office — a crown. Sheffield was also established as an assay office in 1773. Known historically for Sheffield plate and cutlery. Still active today.

The town mark of the Edinburgh Assay Office — a three-towered castle based on Edinburgh Castle. Scotland's only remaining active assay office, with records dating to 1457. Scottish hallmarks are highly collectible.

The Irish assay mark — a crowned harp representing Ireland. The Dublin Assay Office was established in 1637 and is now the only hallmarking authority in the Republic of Ireland. Irish hallmarks often also show a date letter.

A sequential letter in a shaped shield stamped on British hallmarked items to indicate the year of assaying. The letter style and shield shape differ between assay offices and cycles, allowing precise dating of British silver and gold.

Initials (usually two or three letters) punched by the maker or sponsor before submitting a piece for assay. Required by law since 1363. Identifying a maker's mark can reveal the specific silversmith, goldsmith, or manufacturing company.

An eagle's head mark used in France to guarantee gold articles meet the required fineness standard. Introduced during the Napoleonic period. The eagle head mark appears on 18K (750) French gold jewelry.

An owl mark applied by French customs to precious metal articles imported into France. Required since 1893 for foreign pieces sold in the French market. Commonly found on antique English silver sold through French dealers.

A helmeted Minerva head used in France to certify sterling and other silver standards. The first guarantee mark introduced in 1838 for French silver. Different Minerva variants exist for 950 and 800 silver.

The German national hallmark for silver, combining a crescent moon and a crown. Introduced in 1888 as a unified mark after German states adopted a national hallmarking system. Accompanied by a fineness number (e.g., 800, 835, 925).

A woman's profile wearing a kokoshnik (traditional Russian headdress), used as Russia's state assay mark from 1896 until the Revolution. Facing right for gold, left for silver. Highly sought by collectors of Russian Imperial items.

The most common pre-1896 Russian silver standard, expressed in zolotniks (96 zolotniks = pure silver). 84 zolotnik equals 87.5% silver (equivalent to approximately 875 fineness). Found on antique Russian tea sets, samovars, and icons.

A five-pointed star (and later a worker-peasant profile) used in Soviet hallmarks. The USSR replaced tsarist kokoshnik marks with communist symbols after 1927. Accompanied by a fineness number (875, 916, 925) and city codes.

Italian hallmarks feature a star in a shield alongside a numerical fineness code and province code. Italy switched to a comprehensive state hallmarking system in 1934. Common on 750 (18K) Italian gold jewelry.

The Dutch national hallmark features a crowned lion (the Rijkswapen). Dutch silver and gold items are marked with the lion alongside a numeric fineness mark. The Netherlands has one of Europe's oldest continuous hallmarking systems.

A bear's head mark used in Switzerland to certify silver purity, referencing the bear of Bern. Swiss silver is typically 800 or 925 fineness. The Swiss Confederation established unified hallmarking in 1882.

A profile of Diana, goddess of the hunt, used in Austrian precious metal hallmarking. Introduced after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867. Found on Austrian silver and gold items from the late 19th century onward.

A deer's head mark used in Portuguese precious metal hallmarking, introduced in 1886. Portuguese gold is commonly 19.2K (800 fineness in gold), a uniquely high standard compared to most European nations.

Scandinavian (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish) silver typically bears a crown mark with a two-digit year and city letter. This system allows precise dating of Scandinavian silver. Common on Viking revival and Art Nouveau Scandinavian pieces.

Spanish colonial and domestic silver was marked by guild assayers using regional devices. Spanish silver was often 916 or 925 fine. The most recognizable Spanish assay marks come from Seville, Toledo, and Madrid.

The word "STERLING" stamped on American silver indicates 92.5% purity. The US does not have a government-run hallmarking system; instead, manufacturers self-certify purity. "Sterling" has been the American standard since the 1860s.

The numeric "925" stamp on American and internationally made silver jewelry certifies 92.5% silver content. Became widespread with globalized jewelry manufacturing. Interchangeable with the STERLING mark in the US.

American jewelry stamped "10K" or "10KT" indicates 41.7% gold (10 karats). The minimum karat legally sold as gold in the United States. Required by the FTC to be within one-half karat of the stated karat.

American jewelry stamped "14K" or "14KT" indicates 58.5% gold (14 karats). The most popular gold karat in the United States, balancing purity and durability. Often stamped with the manufacturer's trademark.

American jewelry stamped "18K" or "18KT" indicates 75% gold (18 karats). Common in fine American jewelry and engagement rings. Equivalent to the European "750" mark.

Pre-Civil War American silversmiths marked pieces "COIN" or "COIN SILVER" to indicate 90% silver, matching US coin silver composition. This predates the widespread use of the STERLING mark in America.

The earliest English hallmarking system, established by statute in 1300. The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London was charged with testing and marking gold and silver. This foundational system gave rise to all modern British hallmarking.

The 'PR' or 'REVERE' punch mark of silversmith Paul Revere Jr. of Boston. One of the most collectible American colonial silversmith marks. Revere-marked pieces command significant premiums at auction and are treasured American artifacts.

British silver from the Georgian period (George I through George IV) displays the classic four-mark system: maker's mark, standard mark (lion passant), assay office mark, and date letter. Georgian silver is highly sought for its elegant designs.

Hallmarks from Queen Victoria's reign include the standard marks plus a monarch's head duty mark (an additional tax stamp). Victorian silver and gold spans a wide range of styles from Rococo Revival to Arts and Crafts, all precisely datable by date letters.

Before standardized national systems, European silversmiths and goldsmiths used guild-specific marks. Each city guild had its own symbol. Medieval guild marks are among the rarest and most historically significant hallmarks on surviving pieces.

American colonial silversmiths used their own maker's marks but no standardized hallmarking system. Pieces are identified by maker's initials and sometimes a pseudo-hallmark. New York, Boston, and Philadelphia were the main centers of colonial silversmithing.

Before France adopted the metric/decimal system in 1797, French silver purity was expressed in deniers (24 deniers = pure silver). The 11-denier standard (about 91.7%) and the Paris charge-and-discharge system produced complex multi-mark pieces.

Before German unification in 1866, each German city-state had its own assay system. Augsburg, Nuremberg, Hamburg, and Berlin all used distinct town marks. Pre-unification German silver is highly collectible and includes fine Baroque and Rococo pieces.

Foreign silver and gold imported into Britain was required to be assayed and marked with a special "F" mark or duty mark from 1842 to 1904. This helps identify pieces of Continental origin that entered the British market during the Victorian era.

The double-headed eagle of the Austro-Hungarian Empire appeared on precious metal hallmarks alongside fineness numbers. Austro-Hungarian silver at 800-900 fineness is common in antique markets, often featuring elaborate 19th-century designs.

A portrait of the reigning British monarch stamped on silver and gold pieces as proof that the excise duty had been paid. Used from 1784 (George III) to 1890 (Victoria). The presence or absence of this mark helps precisely date British pieces.

During the late 19th century, European countries transitioned from traditional purity systems (zolotniks, deniers, lot) to decimal metric fineness numbers. Pieces from this era may show both old and new purity designations.

The US National Gold and Silver Stamping Act of 1906 required American manufacturers to mark gold and silver articles accurately if marked at all, and banned overstatement of quality. The basis for modern FTC precious metals regulations.