Hallmarking
Hallmarking is an official system for testing and marking precious metals to verify their purity, ensure quality, and establish traceability. As pure silver is too soft for everyday use, most silver objects are made from an alloy of silver and other metals. Before a piece can be hallmarked, it must first undergo an official assay to confirm that its silver content meets the required legal standard.
A complete set of British hallmarks typically records the maker, silver standard, assay office, and year of assay. Together, these marks serve not only as a guarantee of quality, but also as a permanent record of an object's origin and history. Since the establishment of the Sterling Silver (925) standard in the 13th century, the British hallmarking system has evolved into one of the world's most comprehensive systems for identifying and authenticating antique silver.
Hallmarking is not unique to the United Kingdom. Many European countries maintain their own official hallmarking systems, each with distinct marks, fineness standards, and legal requirements. France, for example, uses the Minerva Head as its official silver hallmark, while Sweden employs the Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) alongside fineness marks such as 830S, 835S, and 925S. Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, and Norway also operate their own hallmarking systems.
▼ Common British Hallmarks ▼
MAKER'S MARK
A unique mark registered with an official Assay Office by a goldsmith, silversmith, or manufacturer. Usually presented as initials or a combination of letters, it identifies the maker, workshop, or company responsible for submitting the piece for hallmarking.
FINENESS MARK
Indicates the official standard of the precious metal used in an object. Different metals and fineness standards are represented by their own official symbols.
ASSAY OFFICE MARK
The official mark of the Assay Office responsible for testing and hallmarking the piece. Each Assay Office has its own distinctive symbol, including the Leopard's Head (London), Anchor (Birmingham), Yorkshire Rose (Sheffield), and Castle (Edinburgh).
DATE MARK
Introduced in 1478, the Date Letter records the year in which the piece was officially hallmarked. Each year is represented by a specific letter, typeface, and shield shape, and must be interpreted alongside the Assay Office mark. 
DUTY MARK
Found only on British silver produced between 1784 and 1890, the Duty Mark usually depicts the reigning monarch's profile, indicating that the required duty on the silver object had been paid. Today, it also serves as an important reference for dating antique silver.
Hallmarking （銀器檢驗與標記）是一套用於驗證貴金屬純度、保障品質並建立追溯機制的官方檢驗與標記制度。由於純銀質地柔軟，日常使用的銀器多為銀與其他金屬製成的合金，因此需要經由官方試金確認其銀含量符合標準後，才可加蓋官方檢驗印記。
一組完整的 Hallmarks 通常包含製作者、銀質標準、試金局及檢驗年份等資訊，不僅作為品質保證，也記錄了一件銀器的製作背景與歷史來源。英國自 13 世紀建立 Sterling Silver（925 銀）標準以來，逐步發展出完整的 Hallmark 制度，至今仍是辨識與研究古董銀器的重要依據。
Hallmarking 並不是英國獨有的制度。許多歐洲國家皆設有官方貴金屬檢驗制度，但使用的印記、純度表示方式及法規皆有所不同。例如，法國使用 Minerva Head（密涅瓦女神）等官方印記，瑞典則以 Tre Kronor（三皇冠）作為國家檢驗標記，並搭配 830S、835S 或 925S 等純度標示。 丹麥、荷蘭、芬蘭、挪威等國亦皆擁有各自的系統。
▼ 以下為英國銀器上常見的 Hallmarks ▼
MAKER'S MARK
// 製作者印記
由金匠、銀匠或製造商向官方試金局登記的專屬識別標記，通常以姓名縮寫或字母組合呈現，可用於辨識製作者、工作坊及其活動年代。
FINENESS MARK
// 傳統純度標記 代表器物所使用的貴金屬純度，不同金屬與純度皆有對應的官方符號。
ASSAY OFFICE MARK
// 試金局標記
由官方試金局加蓋的識別標記，不同城市皆有專屬圖樣，如 豹頭、船錨、約克郡玫瑰及城堡。
DATE MARK
// 年份字母
自 1478 年起使用，以不同字母、字體及外框組合記錄銀器完成官方檢驗的年份，須搭配試金局標記一同判讀。
DUTY MARK
// 稅印
僅出現在 1784 至 1890 年間的英國銀器上，通常為當時英國君主的側面肖像，表示該件銀器已依法繳納銀器稅，現今亦可作為判斷年代的重要依據。