silver plate marks identification

Elkington Electroplate Silver / Silver Plate Marks and Date Letters: Elkington-Elkington, Mason & Co-Elkington & Co-Elkington & Co. www.ascasonline.org. Almost all the pieces we'll be discussing are made for the antique reproduction trade. scope mounts for BROWNING BUCK MARK. Compare the mark of a suspected piece to genuine marks in reference books or known originals in your own collection. The mark of origin is the Harp Crowned and it appears with a date letter and maker's mark. At least that's the theory. From 1830 onward, two key trends emerged: exports of white copper from China slowed to a trickle, and then ceased, and German white copper manufacturing methods were brought to England. The item may also have some commemorative or duty marks. Between 1867 and 1933, Austria-Hungary and later, Hungary used the crescent moon crowned head of ancient Greek heroine Diana as the hallmarking symbol of legal silver alloys. This is to ensure it is of the required sterling silver standard and, provided it conforms to a standard, a series of symbols are stamped into each part of the item. Buy Royal Doulton Dinner Plate Serving Plates and get the best deals . Pieces for sale in England, as well as for export, must also have an English assay mark. A fifth mark, not shown, is a profile of the ruling king or queen. If your item does not have one of the standard fineness marks, either traditional or numerical, then it is probably silver plate or is from another county. Note that the individually stamped order and pattern numbers are not perfectly aligned, a typical sign of custom stamping. Matting Punching PHOTOS REQUIRED - marks + item. *It is possible for the item to be stamped with just a number to indicate its purity (e.g. Some authentic Victorian-era silver-plated pieces do bear applied discs with the manufacturers name. Silver plate woven basket - unidentified marks. The silver standard mark. FAQ; Main Website. Figs. Discovering a piece of silver that might hold particular relevance or have been produced by a highly respected maker can bring rich rewards. Four or five small pictorial marks usually indicate England as the country of origin. Silver at that time was sometimes marked "COIN" or "PURE COIN", but can also be without a standard mark altogether. Post . Homeowners Personal Contents & Collections. Learn to know good work by its shape, feel, and construction. A well made mark, deeply and evenly stamped. Atlanta, Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750, BENEDICT is preceded, on each subsequent line, by INDESTRUCTO, SHEFFIELD PLATE, E.P.N.S., MADE IN USA., Electroplated Nickel Silver, Old Sheffield Plate and Close Plate Makers Marks; from 1784, Guide to the Archive of Art and Design, Victoria & Albert Museum, Elkington Electroplate Silver / Silver Plate Marks and Date Letters: Elkington-Elkington, Mason & Co-Elkington & Co-Elkington & Co. The pieces were later marked with the store name. We at Antique Silver Buyers have an OPEN SHOP At 1350 W Bay Dr, Largo. Queen Elizabeth faces left. Antique Silver Hallmarks and how to indentify where your silver comes from. Look up its maker and determine its age and origin. . com Alphabetical Listing of Silverplate Manufacturers by Maker's Name tool. In America, articles marked sterling must contain a minimum of 925 parts silver for every 1000 parts of material. Identifying English, Irish and Scottish Silver The marks on silver made in other countries often use symbols that can be quite confusing until you decipher what they mean. The article will not include elaborate forgeries of museum quality silver made before 1850 or silver of other standards. 1860 to 1970especially items made before 1940are marked sterling or sterling silver. About Silverplated Objects and Non-Silver Mistaken for Sterling, Illustration: The Spruce / Hilary Allison. It is perfectly legal, for example, to stamp silver with trademarks or brand names of companies no longer in business or whose trademark is no longer registered. Martel was made of silver of sterling or better quality, some with 950 parts silver to each 1000 parts. If you make a single mold with an old appearing mark, every piece made in the mold will carry that mark. England has also agreed to accept standard marks on silver imported into England from any nation that signs a 1976 treaty, or convention, guaranteeing strict testing of silver content. Sign up for more easy craft ideas, fun hobbies, and DIY projects. 2023 - WorthPoint Corporation | 5 Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 2900. In your e-mail, please include as much of the following as possible. Free Trade Symbol of Scales with These changes may sound confusing at first, but are of great benefit. With the 925 standard mark, a piece of silver can virtually be sold world wide with the same mark. I have a pair of earrings that are silver and turquoise and are clip on earrings on the back of each earring is either a fancy M or W inside a circle and I have not been able to find anything anywhere about this mark can someone help me. Irish silver also contains the image of Hibernia. Any item with this mark can be sold legally in England, Europe and US. "Coin silver" is used for compounds that contain 90% pure silver. Figs. : describes (when possible) a symbol present on the silver plate hallmark gothic : the letters are in gothic style date indicates approximate period of firm's activity ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF SILVERPLATE MARKS Fortunately, most forgers don't have the time or the money to duplicate original vintage marks so they take shortcuts. But it is a general rule that virtually all pieces marked 925 or sterling 925 are modern. No old counterparts were ever made. It will not help you to identify other silver. In that year, a decree by Edward I laid down that silver or gold could not be made or sold unless it was marked by the leopards head or The Kings Mark, as it was then known. Several of the pieces were close copies of known original shapes. And inside of rings and cuff bracelets. The duty mark on Dutch silver is present in the form of a Minerva head in side profile, wearing a helmet, imprinted with a letter. Mandatory use of the date letter was also dropped in 1999. The fake is made from two pieces of silver. (Zolotnick), Sweden 3 Crowns in Cloverleaf or letter S within a Hexagon. Date marks are now optional; the standard mark was replaced by 925. Unidentified mark silver-plate. General line dealers and casual collectors can probably avoid most mass produced silver fakes in today's market by following the guidelines on page 16. Machinerys Encyclopedia www.archive.org. On this and following pages are examples of marks frequently seen on new silver. Mar 18, 2015 - Explore Sandi Logan's board "Collection of porcelain & pottery makers marks", followed by 455 people on Pinterest. All 925 marks, whether standing alone or combined with other symbols as the above example, are very nearly a guarantee of a reproduction. Explore over 425 Million sold for prices with item details and images. These are far less valuable than items made of sterling silver. We will reach out to you ASAP with more details. Since 1999, the date letter has been optional. 30 Typical Atocha silver "coin" with confusing marks. The most significant change has been dropping the mandatory use of the passant lion as a standard mark. 16, 18). Now, years later, collectors know that fine American silver was also made during the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Pottery Marks Identification Guide & Index, Antiques Roadshow: Antiques, Collectibles & Heirlooms. we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously. Not very conclusive. For both buyers and sellers of silvers, an understanding of such factors as the age, manufacturer, and rarity of silver items determines the value attached to the items. Marked Tiffany Studio New York on back. By 1830 the words COIN, PURE COIN, DOLLAR, STANDARD, PREMIUM, or the letters C or D were placed on silver to indicate that it was 900 out of 1000 parts silver. 9 - Any standard mark that includes 925 is suspicious. In 1973, the European Community (EC) agreed to recognize 925/1000 as the official sterling silver standard and 925 as the official standard mark. Both standards are marked with the head of Minerva inclusive of a numeral 1 or 2 to indicate the standard. A typical hallmark on silver made in England for either export or sale in England. HEFT This is kind of like intuitive of dots to produce a rough surface. An original Unger Bros. mark shown in Fig. TOUCH Both sterling and silverplate will have etc.). ( ABCD ) : the letters are inside an unique outline (of various shape) [ ABCD ] : the letters are inside a shield hand, tower, crown, etc. The golfer match safe shown here (Fig. [citation needed], The United States also had no date marking system. NOTE: Since 1 January 1999 the traditional fineness mark (e.g. How to Make Metal Look Like Antique Brass, How To Paint Wrought Iron To Look Antique. 24 was based. Antique Silver Hallmark Identification Forums. It was not widely used until the European Community (EC) adopted it in the mid-1970s. See original mark below. Every new piece produced in the mold has the same mark as the original including model number, 199. Makers' Marks & Hallmarks on British & Irish Silver. anchor for Birmingham, leopard's head for London, etc.). Examples include: When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. just number 800, Italy Profile Facing Left with Number It gives the collector and dealer who understands them, specific permanent marks to establish firm dates of production. The makers mark bears the initials of the maker in a shield approved and registered at the assay office. Silver products sometimes may be marked 925, which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver. This is generally not done today. Since 1821, the uncrowned leopards head has remained as the distinguishing mark of London. denting silverplate, so be careful. Numbers like 10.15, 112, or 11/12 were stamped on the silver to indicate the percentage of pure silver in the metal. The lion passant is no longer required but may be used in addition to the numeric mark. 7 also qualifies the piece for export to any of the nations that signed the 1976 convention. Silver Plate marks on Possible Christopher Dresser Kettle. ( ABCD ) : the letters are inside an unique outline (of various shape) [ ABCD ] : the letters are inside a shield hand, tower, crown, etc. However, even those discs should be examined very carefully. Engraving Cutting a design into a piece using an engraving This listing should make it easier to identify Grandmas spoon or a dish in an antiques shop, but remember a mark can easily be copied. WorthPoint is the largest resource online for identifying, researching and valuing antiques. By 1839, scientists in Britain and Russia had independently devised metal deposition processes similar to Brugnatelli's for the copper electroplating of printing press plates. Most silver and goldsmiths making bespoke pieces will still opt to use the date letter, however for mass produced silver items it saves the importers money to leave it off. The date 1622 is when the Atocha sank; Atocha pieces were made after 1990. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. Therefore, by debasing silver or gold, the offender was undermining the coin of the realm. The control symbol used in convention hallmarks since 1976 is always a scale. Quick Makers' Marks. since 1904. 23 Close up view of the mark on Indian badge above, Tiffany Studio New York. The standard mark can now be expressed numerically, or millesimally, as 925. Go no further. I have a typical Sterling Tray with a mark that has stumped me. Many genuinely old marked discs have been removed from inexpensive common pieces and applied to more expensive pieces. Main Menu~American; Modernist Silver Marks; Gorham Date Marks . For example, a Diana head within a frame made in the shape of a 5-petal flower represented 5160/1000 = 800 thousands fineness, a local silver standard commonly used in table forks and spoons. Lightweight mounts fit over and attach to both sides of the receiver to give balanced support for any scope. Main Menu~American; Modernist Silver Marks; Gorham Date Marks; Kirk Date Marks; Reed & Barton Dates; Stieff Date Marks . From 1696 to 1720 the standard of silver was raised from 92.5% to 95.8% pure. Use the links below to go to the section you want. London Date Letters 1696 - 1935 & Maker's Marks, Birmingham Date Letters 1773 - 1924 & Maker's Marks, Chester Date Letters 1701 - 1925 & Maker's Marks, Exeter Date Letters 1701 - 1883 & Maker's Marks, Newcastle Date Letters 1702 - 1884 & Maker's Marks, Sheffield Date Letters 1773 - 1916 & Maker's Marks, York Date Letters 1559 - 1858 & Maker's Marks, Edinburgh Date Letters 1681 - 1931 & Maker's Marks, Table of Glasgow Date Letters 1819 - 1896, Table of Dublin Date Letters 1700 - 1920. A typical English hallmark ca. Covid-19 Safety. Simply learn to recognise those Antique Silver Hallmarks. Today, collecting Antique Silver is a very lucrative pastime, which can be taken up by anyone with a little bit of time and money. The makers mark will never be recycled even if it falls out of use. Antique silver is valuable and commands high price. This mark indicates the item's silver content. Fig. Beginning on 1 December 1784, British law mandated that a, An additional British hallmark that is no longer used is the, This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 04:25. [citation needed], "The words "silver" and "sterling silver" describe a product that contains 92.5% pure silver. The compulsory components of a hallmark are the Assay Office mark, a numerical fineness mark and a sponsor's or maker's mark. 2-1/2" long, available in black or silver, matte anodized finish, weighs 1 ounce. Additional types of objects made include keys, costume jewelry, zippers, wind instruments such as clarinets, sculptures and art pieces, and replica silver coins and bullion. Exact source thought to be Thailand, but that is not certain. Gorham Silver Company used a special mark for their Martel silver from 1899 to 1912. Figs. Silver Forum Index . 4. Main Menu~American; Modernist Silver Marks; Gorham Date Marks; Kirk Date Marks; Reed & Barton Dates . 925-1000.com is the most extensive internet resource for research of Silver Marks, Hallmarks, Trademarks & Maker's Marks found on Antique and Vintage silver. The Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh was thought to be in the 1490s and the earliest surviving records date from 1525. Many collectible items are made of silver-colored metal that can sometimes be confused with sterling silver, but which have little or no silver content in them. Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2014 10:41 pm. Pamela Wiggins is a highly regarded antique and collectible costume jewelry expert and appraiser. The four still in operation in the United Kingdom are London, Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Birmingham, and one in Dublin. Cast marks are almost always blurred and uneven, Fig. The 925 standard mark was very rarely used in vintage American silver. 5-7 New silver whistle in Fig. Silver was stamped with a lion for London, a thistle for Edinburgh. 800,900,925). Although the standard is expressed in the control mark, a separate stand-alone standard mark is still required. 2023 Terry Kovel and Ralph & Terry Kovel & Kim Kovel. Our resources will help identify these. The earliest silversmiths in the colonies used their initials. Keep in mind genuine marks on 19th and early 20th century silver and silver plate vary considerably in appearance and new marks frequently change. First, the lady's head was die-stamped, then a sheet of silver was soldered on the back. 38, was used to make a mold to cast the reproduction in Fig. 1903 Springfield Scope Mount. Electroplated Nickel Silver, Old Sheffield Plate and Close Plate Makers Marks; from 1784 by George Mappin. This is a list of American silver marks and solid American silver. Menu. This is still the standard for sterling silver. Skip to content. silver locket, Art Nouveau lady's face in flower. Most silver items include a stamp to indicate the purity of the silver being used. I read m Join tens of thousands of other collectors who receive this Free weekly email with insider tips, news, marks and other news from the Kovels, Bottles come in all shapes and sizes. Pontiac FIREBIRD VIN Decoder. If a piece was made in a foreign country for import into England, it would include a maker's mark, control mark and standard mark. 925 means the metal is sterling silver. Because it resembles silver, at first glance, EPNS can be mistaken for solid silver, a fact upon which counterfeiters and other unscrupulous individuals rely. Antique Silver Hallmark Identification Forums HOME; American Marks. is actually pure silver. Hallmarks can be applied in one of three ways. A small sampling that may help to identify the country of origin. Figs. To locate it in different items, check: Finding the hallmark is just the beginning of silver hallmarks identification. 35. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Hallmarks Database and Silver Research. The hallmark for sterling silver varies from nation to nation, often using distinctive historic symbols, although Dutch and UK Assay offices no longer strike their traditional hallmarks exclusively in their own territories and undertake assay in other countries using marks that are the same as those used domestically. Reproductions, particularly new silver plate, are generally cast in molds. If it seems to be American, this dictionary will help. Thus, nickel silver and EPNS items have a close resemblance to solid silver or sterling items but are weightier due to their lesser silver content. Please send us an email at chris@antiquesilver.org. This is especially true with jewelry. surface and then filled with enamel. International Silver Company records. The term Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) refers to the coating of the base metal nickel silverwhich in itself contains no actual silverwith precious metal. Expressed another way, items must be 92.5 percent silver and no more than 7.5 percent base metal. The most common shortcut is to cast, or mold, a mark rather than stamp marks. Fig. For an item to be deemed sterling silver, 92.5% of the metal content in the alloy must be pure silver. Blurred marks can be a sign of a cast, not stamped, mark. Antique silver hallmarks have been used to control the quality of goods made of silver since the 14th century and the organisation that regulates the craft, Goldsmiths Hall, gave the world the term hallmark. Queen Victoria faces left. Hear that thunder in the distance? Silver standards were .800 and .925 marked within an oval cartouche. [citation needed] Prior to the general adoption of sterling silver as the standard of purity in 1868, silver was generally obtained from the melting of coins. Locate the assay office. The compulsory components of a "Hotel" It should have the initials within a shield. For two years it was crowned, but has been struck ever since in its present form by all English Assay Offices. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. The separate standard mark may appear as 925 only or 925 enclosed in a simple shape such as an oval, square or circle. These marks are accepted in Europe, England and the United States. In the early United States, no national assaying system was adopted, although the city of Baltimore did maintain its own assay office between 1814 and 1830. Silver Date Marks Hallmarks on British & Irish Silver NOTE: Since 1 January 1999 the traditional fineness mark (e.g. As a general rule, for example, marks on Tiffany silver include an order number and a pattern number. Left ~ 18th Cent. But while most governments strictly monitor standard marks, very few regulate marks not related to the content of precious metals. Flatware Tableware items that are flat.. 925-1000 . Then click on the Electroplating processes were invented in England in the 1830s and 1840s; this method is still used today. The numeric 925 is the millesimal expression of the 925/1000 standard. A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, and other (optional) markings to indicate date of manufacture and additional information about the piece. (484) 973-6008 Hi there I have this basket that has some unidentified marks to the base. It is a comprehensive guide to historic silver patterns from a number of silversmiths and companies. TrademarkElite is the U.S. #1 Trademark Search and Registration Service :: LE CORONE is a trademark and brand of RAFFAELI GIORGIO, BARBONI LORENZA, , IT. The hallmarks of Japan Mint have the figure of the national flag of Japan. Main Menu~American; Modernist Silver Marks; Gorham Date Marks; Kirk Date Marks; Reed & Barton Dates . Plique-a-jour Transparent enamel without a backing, enclosed within Birmingham Chester Dublin Edinburgh Exeter 1) symbol for the town in which the silver content was certified, called an assay or town mark; 2) symbol for the year of manufacture called the date letter; 3) symbol representing the silversmith or factory which made the object, called maker's mark or sponsors mark; 4) symbol for the standard mark guaranteeing the silver content. The date letter shows the year that assaying was carried out. 8 - Any mark that is badly blurred or badly worn is suspicious. Very rarely are qualifying pieces of American silver from those years marked only 925. Typical hallmarks on silver which may be freely traded among all nations agreeing to or signing the 1976 convention, or treaty, regulating hallmarks. The scale mark indicates the country of origin has signed the 1976 convention. The first London silver hallmark to be used was the leopards head, in the year 1300. of metal. We use this to improve our products, services and user experience. The original includes both a pattern and order number missing in the fake. Learning how to define the origin of a piece of silver, the year made and the silversmith is great fun and also a way of perhaps finding a rare item that was made in a particular year or city. Diana head mark, number at left indicates silver purity, 3 =.800. What's the difference between silver plated and sterling silver? We offer FREE Antique Evaluations & Antique Appraisals. A new piece marked Unger Bros. a 19th century firm known for quality silver and 925 is legal as long as the silver content tests at 925. Some of them contain no silver at all, so its prudent to understand these terms when investing in antiques or collectibles. Since these could vary considerably in purity, from around .750 millesimal fineness to around .900, silver known as "coin silver" varies in purity. Sometimes called the Sterling Mark, the lion passant, the mark for Made in England, first appeared on English silver and gold in 1544. AU $96.87. 13 Any mark applied by soldering a tab, disc or other shape is suspicious. The English silver standard is also 925/1000. Collectors look at, Q: I am looking for information on this chair. The Germans initiated the earliest serious imitations of such white copper in roughly 1750. "Idenitfying UK Silver Plate Mark on Goblets Post by Dannd Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:40 pm" Some jewelry described as "silver plate" has a layer of silver applied to a base metal. 3. 6 indicates the piece was made in England because it was assayed in London (leopard head assay mark). To stay competitive with the EC nations, England has recently made several important changes to its hallmarking laws. Fig. Hollowware Items that are not flatware but hollow (bowls, vases, Hence, many sterling silver items are labeled .925. Marks reading left to right: CME, maker's mark, identity unknown; scales, control mark; standard mark, 925; unknown mark. The French have two standards for silver purity or fineness. A guide to resources for identifying hallmarks and understanding the process of assaying. Many centuries later, once Westerners got ahold of it, they knew it by the name white copper, translated from Mandarin and Cantonese. The term 'hallmark' actually dates back to 1478, and was introduced purposely for silver hallmarks. A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, and other (optional) markings to indicate date of manufacture and additional information about the piece. Forgeries attempting to copy genuinely old marks, are somewhat harder to detect. IDENTIFY WORLDWIDE MAKERS' MARKS & HALLMARKS marks4ceramics: Porcelain, Pottery, Chinaware, Figurines, Dolls, . Any piece with the scale control mark cannot be earlier than the mid- to late-1970s. Real Or Repro is an industry resource powered by, Two Vintage Silver Plated Trivet Stands Wallace Gorham, Large English Silver on Copper 27" Chippendale Footed Butler Tray Buffet Serving Platter Silverplate by Wallace, Wallace Baroque Footed Serving Fruit Centerpiece Bowl Vintage Silver Plated 207F, Wallace Baroque Silverplate Salt Pepper Shakers, Wallace Baroque 282 Silverplate Coffee Pot, Wallace Baroque Silver Plate single candlestick, Wallace Baroque 282 Silverplate Coffee Pot #2, Vintage Collectible 2 Baroque Wallace Silverplated 736 Pattern Candle Holders, Nancy Dean R Wallace Silver Plate Tongs Pattern #1835, C1890's Gorham Silver Plate Silver Soldered Chocolate Pot, Wallace Silver Baroque Coffee and Tea Service Set & 17" Footed Tray, Vintage, Antique Wallace "Louvre" Pattern Solid Pie Server, Vintage Wallace #7333 Pierced Footed Silver plate Expandable Trivet, Ornate Birmingham SILVERPLATE Chafing Dish Warmer -marked Berkeley Hotel BSL - England, Early Tiffany Grapevine Tidbit Tray Server Grape Leaf, Motif, Design, Silverplated, Gorham Paul Revere Silver Plate (EP) 5 Footed Bowl YC778, Gorham Revere Bowl Silverplate Glass Liner 6 1/2" YCC9, VINTAGE Wallace Color Clad Silver Plated Footed Dish with Blue Interior #9047, Antique Gorham silverplate ornate grape shears grape clusters design 050, Circa 1930s Sterling Silver Gorham Calling Card Tray, Mid 20th Century Gorham Silver Plated (EP) Paul Revere 4 1/2 Footed Bowl, Tiffany & Co Silver Plated Asparagus Tongs, Antique Silver Plated Tiffany & Co Letter Holder. Diet A In some countries, the testing of silver objects and marking of purity is controlled by a national assayer's office. In these instances, you can use a magnet to determine if a base metal. Silver hallmarks are small stamped symbols that are found on the back or underside of silver items. The forged Tiffany mark in Fig. A hand indicates Antwerp, a spread eagle Germany or Russia. A magnet will firmly stick to a silverplated item, but it will not adhere to sterling silver. The first recorded instance of nickel silvers use occurred in Qing dynasty China. 925, France Profile with Helmet and Marked 1 or Since 1999, more and more reproductions are including both 925 and sterling. Of the various minerals categorized as precious metals, silver is the most plentiful. There are 13 potential purity markings, depending on the purity as well as the city of origin. Near the clasp of necklaces and chains. Read Inkerman's to find out and get some great tips for cleaning your precious items in the future. Fig. No old counterpart of the GJ mark is known. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Complex marks, like the Tiffany example previously discussed, may include both standard company marks found on all pieces, as well as unique marks for individual pieces such as an order number, pattern number, date letter and others. A treasonable offence in times when treason was punished by death. Champleve Cuts into surface filled with enamel then polished. The 925 standard mark above is smaller than the diameter of the lead in the wooden pencil shown for comparison. Figs. From 1929, Japan Mint assays and hallmarks the articles made of silver. Each silversmith registered and was assigned a number. Beginning in 1999, neither date marks nor the lion passant were required on silver made and sold in England. This ratio is called the "sterling standard" and has been used in the US since the mid-1860s. Below is the result of identify ECU on an EVO X ECU. They were meant to mislead the public into believing that the silver was of English origin. Here are some of the most common types of silver alloys, with information on how they are often marked: When an item is not marked to identify its silver content but still tarnishes like silver, there is a very good chance it is a silverplated piece. Since its invention, the technique of electroplating use has spread across the globe. Antique Silver Hallmark Identification Forums. PHOTOS REQUIRED - marks + item. PHOTOS REQUIRED - marks + item. The alloy it contains is also the reason it's very durable. Analytical cookies collect data anonymously, about how visitors use our site and how it performs. Backstamping Marking a piece of silver with the retailers mark-not To use the ROM compare tool simply open ProECU, go to tools and select the Identify ECU tool. 6 & 7. Every item made of silver must be sent to an Assay Office for testing. Silversmiths in Baltimore, Maryland, had a maker-date system from 1814 to 1830. Fig. Go no further. 19-21 This GJ-925-sterling mark (Fig. 21) imitates an original by Gorham. The higher is 950 parts per thousand, or 95% silver referred to as 1st Standard. Pieces with the scale control mark cannot be earlier than mid- to late-1970s. If the plating is thick, the item may even test as sterling under traditional acid testing. Today and for the past few centuries, this stamp or silver hallmark has shown the place and year of manufacture of the assayed silver item, as well as the silversmith who made or sponsored the item.