What does the dog head hallmark mean?
Short answer
Dog's head: French guarantee for platinum (850 to 950).
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 | dog head |
| Class | Hallmark symbol |
| Platinum fineness | 950 parts per thousand (95 % platinum) |
| Legal standard (platinum 950) | United Kingdom, Vienna Convention states, France, United States |
| Source check | Checked against the sources listed below |
| Platinum fineness | 900 parts per thousand (90 % platinum) |
| Legal standard (platinum 900) | United Kingdom, Vienna Convention states, France, United States |
| Source check | Checked against the sources listed below |
| Platinum fineness | 850 parts per thousand (85 % platinum) |
| Legal standard (platinum 850) | United Kingdom, Vienna Convention states, France, United States |
| Source check | Checked against the sources listed below |
| Date clue | Not before 1912. The dog's head has been used since 1912 (secondary source). |
Related stamps
Other ways the same fineness is stamped: 900, 950, PT950, PLAT, IRIDPLAT.
Also in this group: lion passant, Britannia, leopard head, anchor, rose, castle, crown, orb.
Frequently asked
What does dog head mean on jewelry?
Dog's head: French guarantee for platinum (850 to 950).
Is the dog head 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
- Douane française, table of guarantee marks (2009)
- Hallmarking Act 1973, Schedule 2 (revised text)
- Vienna Convention on precious metals, Technical Decisions Rev. 13 (in force 1 Oct 2026)
- FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR 23.6 (platinum)
All sources are listed with the method on the sources page.