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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Sterling Silver
 Scratched number codes.
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| Author | Topic: Scratched number codes. |
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ozfred Posts: 87 |
posted 02-15-2006 08:34 PM
  
On some fully marked Tiffany items there is scratched numbers. Such as "5310" on a late C19th silver stamp box and "15446" on a 14k circular box, mid C20th. Might these be retail stock numbers? The 14K box also is punched with "2", might this be a code for the size of the box? Any suggestions will be most appreciated - thanks! IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 02-15-2006 09:19 PM
My guess is that numbers scratched in were put there by one of the previous owners as his or her identification number or inventory number. In case of theft this would be a good form of identification. Numbers punched in most likely were made by the manufacturer for a different identification reason; perhaps size, date of manufacture or style. I suspect that the reasons for some of these marks were never made public and were only important to the manufacturer or retailer. IP: Logged |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 02-15-2006 09:25 PM
Quite often scratched numbers, letters, or a combination of both are price codes. IP: Logged |
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Raf Steel Posts: 94 |
posted 02-17-2006 07:22 AM
A lot of large manufacturers used these codes, which look like they were put on at the factory or shop. In case of an impressed '2', yes I also think of a size or pattern number, sometimes (but I don't know with Tiffany)they were used to indicated that the piece was part of a set. Large engraved numbers would indicate to me a production number? Sometimes a '345' can be the silver weight (without handles or metal, etc.) to make it easier for the seller to calculate his selling price. I don't think you have a box that weighs 5 kilos, but then again I don't which system of weighing US silversmiths use. [This message has been edited by Raf Steel (edited 02-17-2006).] IP: Logged |
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outwest Posts: 390 |
posted 02-18-2006 12:40 AM
I have a silver pocket watch from the 1920's with teeny tiny scratched in numbers on the inside of the case. I always thought they were codes that a repairman made. IP: Logged |
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Raf Steel Posts: 94 |
posted 02-18-2006 07:37 AM
Indeed, with watch cases this is often the case! The numbers often refer to the repairing date (f.i. 021806), it is a way of seeing if the watch has been repaired, how often, etc. I also came across engraved weights in the case, wheight of course without the movement (esp. on gold cases). IP: Logged |
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