For those that are in antique collecting, antique hallmarks are a form of authentication of purity, age and can offer other information that makes it easier to trace the heritage of precious metalwork made from gold and silver.

They originated in England Brand Levitra around 1300 AD and maker’s marks are part of some antique hallmarks, but not all of them. The maker of precious metal pieces would put their mark on the piece as part of the antique hallmarks, which also include fineness and purity, assay office and date letters.

Maker’s marks originated in 1363 because it was a way to identify artisans that were producing work that was below certain standards. As a way for the Master Goldsmith or Silversmith to be held accountable

for quality control, the antique hallmarks would bear a unique mark that was registered to them. Maker’s marks were later a hallmark that was copied in the United States, although sterling silver didn’t become a standard in the US until 1906. When it comes to their history in Europe, the process behind the antique hallmarks made them a very official process.

Known to be one of the first forms of protection for the consumer, they were marks that were struck onto the objects by the inspecting and independent assay office, once they had been tested for purity, which required 92.5% purity to be called silver. There will appear an assay office mark and date letter mark that helps to indicate the inspection period and Cialis can date the object. While there was a period during which the silver standard was raised to 95.8% and called Britannia standard, there were new hallmarks created.

From 1696, when the Britannia standard first took place, until the original sterling silver standard was restored in 1720, the new hallmarks established the difference between the purities. Because the abuse of clipping and melting silver coins took place during this time period by silversmiths, sterling was no longer a reliable standard and necessitated the higher purity. If you have extremely old antiques from Europe, pieces during this time period have a higher silver purity. Duty marks were born out of necessity, like the maker’s mark. There was a charge of 6 pennies per ounce as a duty for restoration to the old standard in 1720. It was during the period of 1784 to 1890 that the duty paid hallmarks were incorporated.

Even though you can assume that they mark authentication, you need to check them carefully and or buy books to identify particular antique hallmarks. That’s not to say that the possibility of fakes might not exist, but original antique hallmarks can be hard to duplicate, if you are familiar with what you are looking for.

Since 1973, the hallmarking process has been simplified and it is easier to understand, and platinum has to be marked, as of 1975. When you consider the important information you can get from these old hallmarks, they can not only provide you with the maker’s mark, but you can gain valuable dating information for your antique pieces as well.

Author Bio: Find out more about antique hallmarks by visiting www.boningtons.com.

Category: Hobbies/Collecting
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