🇬🇧 UK & 🇪🇺 European Marks
Hallmarks can provide useful information about the precious metal, fineness, assay office and sometimes the date associated with a piece of jewellery, silver or another precious-metal object.
This Holytown Antiques Jewellery Hallmark Reference Guide explains the main marks commonly encountered on British gold, silver, platinum and palladium items, together with an introduction to international and European hallmarking.
Hallmarks should usually be read as a group rather than relying on a single number, letter or symbol. Older marks, imported pieces and continental systems can vary considerably by country and period.
Use this guide as a starting point for research rather than as proof of age, maker, authenticity or value. Where an item is important or uncertain, confirm the marks using an official assay-office reference or specialist hallmark source.
What Is a Hallmark?
A hallmark is a set of marks used to indicate that a precious-metal article has been independently tested and meets the required standard of fineness.
In the UK, hallmarking applies to gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The system helps protect buyers because the precious-metal content of an alloy cannot normally be confirmed simply by looking at it.
The Three Compulsory Marks in a Modern UK Hallmark
A complete modern UK hallmark normally contains three compulsory components.
1. Sponsor’s Mark
The sponsor’s mark identifies the person or organisation that submitted the article for hallmarking.
It is sometimes described as a maker’s mark, but the sponsor is not necessarily the person who physically made the object. The sponsor could be a manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, importer or another registered business or individual.
A UK sponsor’s mark normally consists of at least two letters within a distinctive surrounding shape.
2. Millesimal Fineness Mark
The fineness mark shows the precious-metal content in parts per thousand.
For example, a mark of 375 means the alloy contains at least 375 parts gold per 1,000, or 37.5% gold.
The shape surrounding a modern UK fineness number also helps identify which precious metal the mark refers to.
3. Assay Office Mark
The assay-office mark identifies the UK Assay Office that tested and hallmarked the article.
It does not necessarily tell you where the object itself was manufactured.
Current UK Assay Office Marks
| Assay Office | Current Town Mark | Location |
|---|---|---|
| London | Leopard’s head | London |
| Birmingham | Anchor | Birmingham |
| Sheffield | Rose | Sheffield |
| Edinburgh | Castle | Edinburgh |
Historical assay-office marks can differ from the symbols currently used. For example, Sheffield used a crown as its town mark before changing to the rose in 1975.
When identifying antique silver or jewellery, always use a hallmark reference appropriate to the period rather than assuming a modern symbol was used throughout history.
UK Gold Fineness Marks
| Fineness Mark | Approximate Gold Content | Common Description |
|---|---|---|
| 375 | 37.5% | 9ct gold |
| 585 | 58.5% | 14ct gold |
| 750 | 75.0% | 18ct gold |
| 916 | Approximately 91.6% | 22ct gold |
| 990 | 99.0% | High-fineness gold |
| 999 | 99.9% | Fine gold / approximately 24ct |
Older, foreign or non-UK articles may carry different gold standards. A number such as 750 or 585 should therefore be considered alongside the other marks on the item.
UK Silver Fineness Marks
| Fineness Mark | Silver Content | Common Description |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | 80.0% | 800 silver |
| 925 | 92.5% | Sterling silver |
| 958 | Approximately 95.8% | Britannia silver |
| 999 | 99.9% | Fine silver |
UK Platinum Fineness Marks
| Fineness Mark | Platinum Content |
|---|---|
| 850 | 85.0% |
| 900 | 90.0% |
| 950 | 95.0% |
| 999 | 99.9% |
UK Palladium Fineness Marks
| Fineness Mark | Palladium Content |
|---|---|
| 500 | 50.0% |
| 950 | 95.0% |
| 999 | 99.9% |
Traditional UK Precious-Metal Symbols
Traditional pictorial fineness symbols may appear alongside the compulsory modern hallmark components. These traditional symbols are optional on modern UK hallmarks.
| Metal / Standard | Traditional Symbol |
|---|---|
| Gold | Crown |
| Sterling silver | Lion passant |
| Sterling silver – Edinburgh | Lion rampant |
| Britannia silver | Figure of Britannia |
| Platinum | Orb surmounted by a cross |
| Palladium | Head of Pallas Athena |
Do not confuse a traditional metal symbol with the assay-office town mark. They perform different functions within the hallmark.
UK Date Letters
A date letter can indicate the year in which an article was hallmarked.
In modern UK hallmarking, the date letter is optional. It was compulsory until 1999.
Since 1975, the same annual date letter has been used by all four UK Assay Offices, and the letter changes on 1 January each year.
| Year | Date Letter |
|---|---|
| 2025 | A |
| 2026 | B |
| 2027 | C |
| 2028 | D |
| 2029 | E |
| 2030 | F |
Historical date-letter identification is more complicated. The style of the letter, upper or lower case, surrounding shield and assay office can all matter.
A date letter indicates the year the article was hallmarked, which is not necessarily exactly the same as the year it was manufactured or sold.
Can a UK Item Have No Date Letter?
Yes. Since 1999 the date letter has been optional, so a modern article can have a valid UK hallmark without one.
The absence of a date letter on a modern item does not therefore mean that the hallmark is incomplete.
Hallmarking Weight Exemptions in the UK
UK hallmarking legislation includes minimum weight exemptions. An article below the relevant threshold may not require compulsory hallmarking.
| Precious Metal | Exemption Weight |
|---|---|
| Gold | Under 1 gram |
| Silver | Under 7.78 grams |
| Platinum | Under 0.5 gram |
| Palladium | Under 1 gram |
Being below the hallmarking threshold does not prove the metal content of an item. It simply means the article may fall within an exemption from compulsory hallmarking.
Is a 925, 750 or 375 Stamp a Full UK Hallmark?
Not necessarily.
A number such as 925, 750 or 375 is a fineness indication, but a complete modern UK hallmark normally also includes a sponsor’s mark and an assay-office mark.
A lone number may be a foreign fineness mark, manufacturer’s stamp or another type of mark rather than a complete British hallmark.
Common Fineness Numbers at a Glance
| Mark | Usually Associated With | Approximate Precious-Metal Content |
|---|---|---|
| 375 | 9ct gold | 37.5% gold |
| 585 | 14ct gold | 58.5% gold |
| 750 | 18ct gold | 75.0% gold |
| 916 | 22ct gold | Approximately 91.6% gold |
| 800 | Silver | 80.0% silver |
| 925 | Sterling silver | 92.5% silver |
| 958 | Britannia silver | Approximately 95.8% silver |
| 950 | Common platinum or palladium fineness | 95.0% |
The number should always be interpreted in context. For example, a 950 mark can relate to more than one precious metal depending on the complete hallmark.
How to Read a British Hallmark
When examining an item, try to record every visible mark rather than focusing on the largest or clearest stamp.
- Look for the sponsor’s mark — usually letters within a shaped punch.
- Find the fineness number — such as 375, 750 or 925.
- Identify the assay-office mark — such as the London leopard’s head, Birmingham anchor, Sheffield rose or Edinburgh castle.
- Check for a date letter — remembering that it is optional on modern pieces.
- Look for optional traditional or commemorative marks that may appear alongside the main hallmark.
The relationship between the marks is often more useful than any one mark viewed by itself.
Where to Look for Hallmarks
The position of a hallmark varies according to the type and construction of the object.
- Rings — often inside the shank.
- Bracelets — commonly near the clasp or on an attached tag.
- Necklaces — often near the clasp or on a small plate or tag.
- Brooches — frequently on the reverse or near the pin fitting.
- Earrings — on the post, fitting or reverse where space allows.
- Silver flatware — commonly on the handle or stem.
- Silver vessels — often underneath, near the rim or in another accessible area.
- Watch cases — sometimes inside the case rather than on the exterior.
Very small marks can be difficult to read. A loupe, magnifying glass and good side lighting can make worn punches considerably clearer.
Sponsor’s Marks and Maker’s Marks
One of the most common mistakes in hallmark research is assuming that the initials within a sponsor’s mark always identify the craftsman who physically made the object.
The registered sponsor may instead have been a retailer, importer, manufacturer or business that submitted the item for hallmarking.
Identifying the sponsor can still be extremely useful when researching the age, origin and commercial history of an object, but it should not automatically be described as the maker without supporting evidence.
European and International Hallmarks
There is no single historic “European hallmark” system. Different countries have used their own assay systems, fineness standards, symbols and control marks, and many of these have changed over time.
A French, Swiss, Dutch, Austrian or Scandinavian mark should therefore be researched using a source specific to that country and period.
Be cautious with simplified online charts that assign one animal, head or shield to an entire country without explaining the metal, fineness, date range and type of mark involved.
The Common Control Mark – CCM
The Common Control Mark is used under the international Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals, often referred to as the Hallmarking Convention.
Convention hallmarks applied by participating states are mutually recognised between member countries. A compliant Convention-hallmarked item from another member state can therefore be recognised in the UK without being hallmarked again by a UK Assay Office.
The CCM incorporates or accompanies information about precious-metal fineness and is used together with other Convention-required marks. The familiar scales symbol is part of the Convention marking system.
Membership of the Convention can change, so use the official Hallmarking Convention website when checking whether a particular country participates.
Hallmarks and the Age of an Item
A hallmark can be extremely helpful when dating an antique or vintage object, but it should not normally be used in isolation.
Construction, style, sponsor or maker information, assay-office history and other marks should all agree with the proposed date.
Remember that the hallmark records the hallmarking of the article. It does not necessarily provide an exact manufacturing date.
Hallmarks and Value
A hallmark can help establish the precious metal and may provide useful evidence about origin and date, but it does not determine the complete value of an object.
The market value of jewellery, silver and other precious-metal objects may also depend on:
- Maker or designer
- Age and period
- Quality of manufacture
- Condition
- Rarity
- Gemstones
- Weight
- Design
- Provenance
- Collector demand
If you want to estimate the underlying gold, silver or platinum content separately, use our Precious Metals Price Calculator.
Jewellery Hallmark Guide – Frequently Asked Questions
What does 375 mean on jewellery?
375 is a gold fineness mark representing 375 parts gold per 1,000, or 37.5% gold. It is commonly associated with 9ct gold.
What does 585 mean on jewellery?
585 represents 58.5% gold and is commonly associated with 14ct gold.
What does 750 mean on jewellery?
750 means the alloy contains 75% gold and is commonly described as 18ct gold.
What does 925 mean on silver?
925 indicates a fineness of 92.5% silver and is the standard commonly associated with sterling silver.
Does 925 alone prove something is sterling silver?
No. A 925 stamp is an indication of fineness, but the mark should be considered together with the rest of the article, its other stamps and, where necessary, testing or professional assessment.
What does an anchor hallmark mean?
On a UK hallmark, the anchor is the current town mark of the Birmingham Assay Office.
What does a leopard’s head hallmark mean?
The leopard’s head is the London Assay Office mark. Historical versions of the mark can differ in appearance.
What does a rose hallmark mean?
The rose is the current Sheffield Assay Office mark. Sheffield used a crown as its town mark before the change to the rose in 1975.
What does a castle hallmark mean?
The castle is the current Edinburgh Assay Office mark.
Does every British hallmark have a date letter?
No. The date letter became optional in 1999, so modern UK hallmarks do not have to include one.
What is the UK hallmark date letter for 2026?
The UK date letter for 2026 is B in the current date-letter series.
Can a small gold or silver item legally have no hallmark?
Yes. Articles below the relevant UK exemption weight may not require compulsory hallmarking. Other legal requirements concerning accurate precious-metal descriptions still apply.
Can a hallmark tell me exactly what an item is worth?
No. A hallmark may help identify metal content, assay office and sometimes date, but value depends on many additional factors including maker, design, age, condition and demand.
Official Hallmarking References
For important or difficult marks, use official hallmarking information wherever possible.
- British Hallmarking Council – Hallmarking Guidance Notes
- GOV.UK – Hallmarking Practical Guidance
- Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals
Related Holytown Antiques Resources
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Important Information
This Jewellery Hallmark Reference Guide is provided for general research and identification purposes.
Hallmarking systems have changed over time and marks can vary according to country, assay office, precious metal, fineness and period. Worn, incomplete, altered or incorrectly interpreted marks can lead to mistaken identification.
A hallmark should be considered alongside the construction, style, condition and other evidence associated with an object.
A stamp or hallmark should not by itself be treated as proof of maker, precise manufacturing date, authenticity or market value.
For valuable, unusual or uncertain items, consult an appropriate Assay Office, recognised hallmark reference or suitably experienced specialist.
Please note: This guide is intended as a general reference only and should not be treated as legal, professional appraisal or valuation advice.