When did Exeter assay office close?
When did Exeter assay office close?
1883
The Exeter Assay office closed down in 1883.
What is the hallmark stamp for silver?
Historically the standard mark for sterling (. 925 purity) silver in Britain has been a lion passant and this will be found on the majority of pieces.
What is the hallmark for fine silver?
925
Only 1 of the 4 Assay offices are allowed to hallmark precious metals. Sterling silver is 925. This indicates that 92.5% is silver and the remaining 7.5% is an approved base metal alloy such as copper which is needed to provide strength to the relatively soft metal.
How do you identify a maker’s mark?
The maker’s mark will always be unique. It should have the initials within a shield. The maker’s mark will never be “recycled” even if it falls out of use. The maker’s mark bears the initials of the maker in a shield approved and registered at the assay office.
What does a Crown hallmark mean on silver?
Sheffield
Symbols for where it was made include an anchor for Birmingham and a crown for Sheffield (in 1975, it changed to a rose). Another mark is the head of the reigning monarch. And a letter stamp tells you when it was made: Each year is assigned one letter of the alphabet, and a new cycle starts with a different font.
What does a crown hallmark mean on silver?
What is Exeter maker’s marks?
Exeter Maker’s Marks This page of Exeter Maker’s Marks is organized alphabetically by the first letter in the mark. This is an open ended project, new marks are continually added. { note – Many British makers’ marks, especially in the 18th & earlier 19th centuries, are nearly identical.
When did the Exeter assay office start stamping on silver?
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Exeter Assay Office, unlike the London Assay Office, did not stamp date letters on small spoons; however, with even a small collection of Exeter silver one can see different lions passant and duty marks.
When did they start stamping on Exeter Silver Spoons?
The Hallmarking of Exeter Small Spoons and Tongs; 1797 – 1810 by Miles Harrison In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Exeter Assay Office, unlike the London Assay Office, did not stamp date letters on small spoons; however, with even a small collection of Exeter silver one can see different lions passant and duty marks.
What does the Exeter Town Mark mean?
The Exeter town mark is based on the arms of the city, being variations on a triple-towered castle. The first date letter, A, continued in use until 7th August 1702. The date letter changed either on the anniversary of that date or on the day of election of new wardens for the following year.