The history of hallmarking in the United Kingdom: a tradition of trust in silver
The origins of hallmarking
The hallmark is one of the oldest forms of consumer protection in the world. In Britain, the system of marking precious metals dates back over 700 years. The first official requirement for gold and silver to be assayed and marked for purity was introduced by statute in 1300, during the reign of King Edward I.
This law required that all items made of precious metal be tested, or “assayed”, by independent authorities before sale. The mark guaranteed that an item met the legal standard of fineness — ensuring that sterling silver contained at least 92.5% pure silver.
Early assay work was carried out by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London, whose headquarters, Goldsmiths’ Hall, gave rise to the term “hallmark” — literally, a mark applied at the Hall.
The development of the system
By the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, hallmarking had become a regulated national system. Each assay office used its own identifying town mark, in addition to the lion passant for sterling silver in England and the lion rampant for Scottish silver, along with the maker’s mark.
Later additions included the date letter, showing the year of assay, and the duty mark, used between 1784 and 1890 when a tax was levied on precious metals. The date letter, once a compulsory part of every hallmark, became optional after the Hallmarking Act of 1998, meaning that not all modern silver now carries a date mark.
Through these combined symbols, a silver item could be traced to its place and time of testing — providing a form of authentication and traceability that collectors and historians still rely on today.
Silver and the Assay Offices
As trade expanded, additional assay offices were established across the country to meet local demand. London was joined by provincial offices in Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Chester, Exeter, Newcastle, Norwich, and Dublin, among others.
Each office developed its own distinctive town mark — for example, an anchor for Birmingham and a crown for Sheffield. These marks became a point of pride for local silversmithing traditions, reflecting the regional character of craftsmanship across Britain.
Closed Assay Offices
Over time, some of these offices closed as the structure of the silver trade changed. One of the most notable was the Chester Assay Office, which operated for nearly 400 years before its closure in 1962.
Chester was granted its official right to assay in 1701, though silver testing had taken place there informally before that date. The Chester town mark — a three-wheatsheaf and sword shield — became one of the most recognisable symbols on British silver.
The office served silversmiths from across North Wales, the Midlands, and the North West of England, providing a convenient alternative to sending items to Birmingham or London. Its marks are now of special interest to collectors, often helping to identify the regional origins of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century silverwork.
Chester was not alone in its closure. Other historic assay offices — including Exeter (closed 1883), Newcastle (closed 1884), Glasgow (closed 1964), and Norwich (closed 1702) — have also left their mark on the history of British hallmarking.
Each used distinctive symbols, and their hallmarks are now valuable clues for historians and collectors seeking to date and locate older pieces of silver. The survival of these marks in circulation demonstrates the enduring role of hallmarking as both a practical system of regulation and a record of craft heritage.
The hallmark today
Today, four assay offices remain active in the UK: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Edinburgh. Despite advances in technology, the process retains its historic essence. Each assay office used its own identifying town mark, in addition to the lion passant for sterling silver in England and the lion rampant for Scottish silver, along with the maker’s mark.
For those who collect or sell antique and vintage silver, hallmarking continues to provide a trusted means of verifying authenticity and quality. Beyond its practical use, it serves as a thread connecting centuries of craftsmanship, regulation, and artistry.
Conclusion
The British hallmarking system reflects a rare combination of tradition, transparency, and trust. From medieval guilds to modern assay offices, each mark tells a story — of where an object was made, when it was tested, and by whom.
You can find lots of great examples of hallmarked jewellery in the Echoes store. Navigate to the 'Hallmarks' section via the menu to explore.