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Hard to interpret English Hallmarks

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Topic: Hard to interpret English Hallmarks

suepower

Posts: 5
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 03-08-2006 11:38 PM

Hi All,
When buying English Sterling silver, how can you interpret the difference between a lower case 'c' and a upper case 'C'? Or s lover case 's' and a upper case 'S'. They just look the same when hallmarked onto the silver? For example Birmingham uses lower case for 1900-1915 and upper case for 1915-1950. Both have the same shield and font.

thanks

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swarter
Moderator

Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

posted 03-09-2006 11:59 AM

I don't have examples at hand for the dates you cite (I think you mean 1925 rather than 1915), but in general you have to rely on the other marks and/or the working dates of the maker. From the tables, it appears that in the case of the Birmingham series you mention, the town and standard marks differ in the series including the letters c and C, in that the earlier ones have the anchor and lion passant smaller, with more space around them in the shield. With a good, clear strike, the letters should also differ at the top of the curve with a round terminus in the lower case, and a check-like serif in the upper case. The letters s and S, however are more of a problem, in that the ends of the letter are similar and the other marks have changed so that they are also similar.

If any other members have examples that differ, I am sure they will add the information.

[This message has been edited by swarter (edited 03-09-2006).]

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