What does the crown hallmark mean?
Short answer
Crown: on British gold it accompanies the carat figure (18 from 1798, 22 from 1844); on silver before 1975 it is the Sheffield town mark.
A mark is a statement, not proof: it can be forged or struck on a plated piece. An assay confirms it (touchstone and acids, or X-ray fluorescence).
The stamp in detail
| Item | What the tables say |
|---|---|
| Stamp | crown |
| Class | Hallmark symbol |
Related stamps
Also in this group: lion passant, Britannia, leopard head, anchor, rose, castle, orb, sovereign head.
Frequently asked
What does crown mean on jewelry?
Crown: on British gold it accompanies the carat figure (18 from 1798, 22 from 1844); on silver before 1975 it is the Sheffield town mark.
Is the crown mark proof of the metal?
A mark is a statement, not proof: it can be forged or struck on a plated piece. An assay confirms it (touchstone and acids, or X-ray fluorescence).
Sources
- The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, History of hallmarking
- Sheffield Assay Office, history
- Hallmarking Act 1973, Schedule 2 (revised text)
All sources are listed with the method on the sources page.