SILVER HALLMARKS WORLDWIDE OVERVIEW 
MALTA - MEXICO - THE NETHERLANDS - NORWAY - PERU - POLAND - PORTUGAL - RUSSIA
The word "HALLMARK" derives from the fact that precious metals were sent to the London Goldsmiths' Hall for testing to ensure that the correct standard of silver had been used.
In most countries, silver objects are stamped with one or more hallmarks indicating the purity of the metal and the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith.
Other marks can indicate the date of manufacture and additional information about the piece.
In some countries, the testing of precious metal objects and marking of purity is controlled by a national assay office.
Depending on the national legislation the use of hallmarks may be compulsory, voluntary or provided by a manufacturer's declaration.
This page presents a general overview on a series of national hallmarking systems. More detailed information and further hallmarks are available following the respective links.
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COUNTRY:
A-B
C-F
G-L
M-R
S-Z
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MALTA
The first silver hallmarking regulation was introduced by the military order of Knights Hospitaller in 1636. After the short period of French occupation (1798-1800) the island became de facto a British colony. Malta obtained Self Government in 1920, independence in 1964 and became a republic in 1974.
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MALTA MARKS PAGE
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MEXICO
In the first half of the 20th century silver items manufactured in Mexico were marked simply "silver" or "sterling".
Usually a location (Mexico or a town name) and silver fineness (925, 925/1000, 950, 980) was included.
In 1948 the Government of Mexico promoted the reintroduction of the "eagle mark" to identify the manufacturers of silver items.
The "eagle" was stamped with a number associated to a silver manufacturing company. This system was unsuccessful, eagle stamps were misused
or "loaned" to more than one artist of maker and was abandoned in the 1980s. It was substituted by the "letter and number"
system adopted circa 1980 and still in use.
In the "Letter and number" system a letter identifies a location (T for Taxco, M for Mexico City), the second letter is the first
letter of an individual's first or last name of the maker. The number is the number of registration of the maker.
From left to right: early Mexican mark (before 1948), eagle mark (1948-c.1980), "letter and number" mark (c.1980-present).
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MEXICAN MAKER'S MARKS PAGE
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THE NETHERLANDS
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THE NETHERLANDS 1807-1953 MARKS PAGE
THE NETHERLANDS PRESENT MARKS PAGE
THE NETHERLANDS MAKER'S MARKS PAGE
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NORWAY
The modern Norwegian system of hallmarking came into effect after the 1891 Act.
It consists of the national symbol of a crowned rampant lion holding a battle axe inside a circular frame, the silver fineness mark and the maker's mark.
In 1892, silver fineness was standardized at .830 and the mark 830S became compulsory. In 1920, standard .925 started to replace .830 purity.
At the present purity 999, 925, 830 and 800 are admitted for silver items, but .925 is the foremost standard in use.
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NORWEGIAN HALLMARKS PAGE
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PERU
Peru is the second country with the largest silver reserves and the third world producer of silver. The country obtained independence from Spain in 1824.
In the 20th century Peruvian silver began to be marked with 925 and .925 fineness was adopted as "Plata de Ley".
The marks of modern silverware and jewelry take various forms and in most cases PLATA and PERU origin are quoted next to 925: PERU PLATA 925, PERU PLATA ESTERLINA 925, PLATA STERLING 925. The main silver manufacturer is Carlo Mario Camusso S.A. (established in 1946) and his name is synonymous with Peruvian silver all over the world.
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POLAND
The independent existence of Polish territories ended in late 18th century after a series of invasions and partitions carried out by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy.
Austro-Hungarian hallmarks were used in Krakow and other towns. A Russian Assay Office was established in Warsaw.
After WWI Poland obtained independence in 1920 was introduced the new national hallmarking system.
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POLISH MARKS PAGE
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PORTUGAL
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PORTUGUESE MARKS PAGE
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ROMANIA
Modern hallmarking of precious metals was introduced in 1906 by the Kingdom of Romania.
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ROMANIA MARKS PAGE
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RUSSIA
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RUSSIAN ANCIENT MARKS PAGE
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RUSSIAN ARTELS MARKS PAGE
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RUSSIAN KOKOSHNIK MARKS PAGE
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COUNTRY:
A-B
C-F
G-L
M-R
S-Z
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