Over 700 Years of Consumer Protection
For over seven centuries, hallmarks have offered collectors and silversmiths a unique form of authentication; an unbroken record of the who, what, where and when behind a silver object’s creation, shares Kier Alexander, silver specialist.
A Brief History of Hallmarking in Britain
Silver has long been prized for its intrinsic value and beauty, and was traditionally used as a form of currency. However, its naturally soft composition meant it needed to be strengthened for practical use. In 1158, King Henry II formalised an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper as the official standard marking the introduction of what we now know as Sterling Silver.
By 1238, Henry III mandated that all silver items match this ‘sterling’ quality, ensuring that no silverware could be “worse than the king’s money.” The Mayor of London was instructed to appoint six trusted goldsmiths to monitor quality, a decision that led to the birth of the British hallmarking system, later formalised in 1300. Guilds were set up as a collective of similar craftsmen and their halls were where the pieces were marked, now known as Assay offices.
The word Assay comes from the Old French verb essai, to trial or try, and relates to the assessment of the purity of silver, after which it receives an assay mark to verify the standard.
