Silver Assay & Hallmarking
Assayed by law in the UK since 1300, silver hallmarking is recognised as one of the world’s oldest forms of consumer protection. Discover how we test and verify silver at Birmingham Assay Office.
Silver Assay & Hallmarking in the UK
Gold is one of the world’s most recognised and sought-after precious metals, valued for its beauty and rarity. Used in jewellery, watches, investment products, and luxury goods, gold is available in a variety of purities and colours. To ensure that gold items are accurately described and meet legal standards, they must be independently tested and verified through the assay and hallmarking process. Hallmarking provides assurance that a gold item contains the precious metal content claimed by its manufacturer or retailer.
What Is Silver Assay?
Assaying is the process of testing a precious metal item to determine its purity. Before a silver item can be hallmarked, it must be independently examined by an authorised UK Assay Office to confirm that it meets the required legal standard.
During the assay process, Birmingham Assay Office specialists analyse the metal content using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to ensure the item contains the minimum level of silver declared by the maker. Only items that pass these tests are eligible to receive a hallmark.
How to Identify UK Silver Hallmarks
Silver hallmarks are marks applied to precious metal items to confirm their purity and provide information about where and when they were assayed. Understanding these marks can help you verify the authenticity, age, and origin of your silver jewellery, silverware, and collectable pieces.
What Is a UK Silver Hallmark?
A UK hallmark is a series of symbols stamped onto an item made from precious metal. Hallmarking is a legal requirement in the UK for silver items weighing 7.78 grams and over, and provides assurance that the metal meets the required standards of fineness.
A traditional UK silver hallmark typically contains several key marks:
The Sponsor’s Mark
(Previously known as a Maker’s Mark)
The Fineness Mark
Sterling Silver, 92.5% Silver
The Assay Office Mark
Birmingham Assay Office
Step 1: Identify the Silver Purity Mark
The number represents the parts of pure silver per thousand.
For example, a hallmark reading “925” confirms the item is sterling silver, containing 92.5% pure silver.
The fineness mark indicates the purity of the silver. Common UK silver standards include:
800 Silver also referred to as ‘coin silver’ 80% Silver
Sterling Silver, 92.5% Silver
Britannia Silver, 95.8% Silver
Fine Silver, 99.9% Silver
Step 2: Look for the Assay Office Mark
Every hallmarked silver item is tested and certified by an authorised UK Assay Office. The assay office mark shows where the item was independently tested and hallmarked.
Each office has its own unique symbol:
Birmingham Assay Office
London Assay Office
Sheffield Assay Office
Edinburgh Assay Office
Step 3: Find the Sponsor's Mark
The sponsor’s mark (sometimes called the maker’s mark) identifies the company or individual who submitted the item for hallmarking.
This mark usually consists of two to four initials within a shaped shield.
Sponsor’s Mark: Birmingham Assay Office
Step 4: Check the Date Letter (If Present)
Many older British silver items feature a date letter. This alphabetical mark changes each year and can help determine when an item was hallmarked. The date letter was a compulsory hallmark until 1999.
Date letter styles vary between assay offices and different hallmarking periods, so a specialist date letter chart is usually required for accurate identification. You can find ours here.
Date Letter 2026: Letter B
No Purity Mark? Look for a Traditional Fineness Mark
Before the introduction of the modern numerical fineness marks used today, British silver was identified using symbolic standards marks. These traditional marks remain important for collectors, dealers, and anyone researching antique silver.
The Lion Passant
The most recognisable silver hallmark in Britain is the lion passant, a lion shown walking with one paw raised.
For centuries, the lion passant has indicated that an item meets the sterling silver standard of 925 parts per thousand silver (92.5% pure silver). It was first introduced in the 16th century and remains one of the most trusted symbols of British silver.
On antique pieces, the lion passant often appears alongside the assay office mark, maker’s mark, and date letter.
The lion passant can still be applied to contemporary sterling silver items as an optional mark.
The Lion Rampant
Similarly to the lion passant, the lion rampant is used to denote 925 or sterling silver. The lion rampant can only be used by Edinburgh Assay Office and can also be seen in the Royal Arms of Scotland. It has been in use since 1975.
The Britannia Figure
The seated or standing figure of Britannia denotes the Britannia silver standard, which contains 95.8% pure silver (958 fineness).
This higher purity standard was introduced in 1697 as part of an effort to discourage the melting down of silver coinage. During this period, the traditional sterling standard was temporarily replaced by the Britannia standard for wrought silver.
From 1697 to 1720, silver items made to the Britannia standard were generally marked with the figure of Britannia as the standard mark, as well as a lion’s head replacing the leopard’s head as the London assay office mark.
Although sterling silver was reinstated in 1720 and with it the lion passant, the Britannia standard remains a legal silver standard today and is commonly used by contemporary silversmiths producing premium-quality silverware.
Lion Passant Fineness Mark
Lion Rampant Fineness Mark
The Britannia Figure Fineness Mark
Before the introduction of the modern numerical fineness marks used today, British silver was identified using symbolic standards marks. These traditional marks remain important for collectors, dealers, and anyone researching antique silver.
Fineness Mark: Lion
Fineness Mark: Britannia
Convention Marks
The Convention Mark is an optional hallmark that indicates a precious metal item complies with the standards of the International Hallmarking Convention, also known as the Vienna Convention. Introduced in 1972, the Convention enables hallmarked items to be more easily recognised and traded between member countries without the need for re-testing or re-hallmarking.
On silver items, the Convention Mark takes the form of a set of scales either containing the fineness number or alongside the fineness mark. When present alongside UK hallmarks, the Convention Mark provides additional assurance that the item meets internationally recognised standards of purity and has been independently tested by an authorised assay office.
Common Control Mark Type 1: 925 Silver
Common Control Mark Type 2
Common Misconceptions About Silver Marks
“925” Is Not Always a UK Hallmark
Many items are stamped “925” but do not carry a full UK hallmark. A genuine UK hallmarked silver item will normally include the assay office mark and sponsor’s mark alongside the fineness mark.
Silver-Plated Items Are Not Solid Silver
Marks such as EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver), EPBM, or Silver Plate indicate a silver-plated item rather than solid silver.
What’s Your Treasure Worth?
Here at Birmingham Assay Office, we offer valuations of watches, jewellery and silverware, whether you need them for insurance replacement, probate, family division, private sale or other official purposes. Our expert valuers are experienced and trusted to deliver accurate, detailed valuation reports that are widely recognised by insurers, legal professionals and the trade.