Birmingham hallmark date letter “A”: which year?

The letter A on a Birmingham hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1773–1774 (uppercase roman); 1798–1799 (lowercase roman); 1824–1825 (uppercase gothic); 1849–1850 (uppercase roman); 1875–1876 (lowercase gothic); 1900–1901 (lowercase roman); 1925–1926 (uppercase roman); 1950–1951 (uppercase cursive); 1975 (uppercase roman, unified cycle); 2000 (lowercase roman, unified cycle); 2025 (uppercase roman, unified cycle).

Before 1975 the letter changes in July, so most letters span two calendar years. Compare the case and typeface with the table; the letter alone does not settle it.

Candidates for A at Birmingham

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1773–1774	uppercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1798–1799	lowercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1824–1825	uppercase gothic	Birmingham cycle
1849–1850	uppercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1875–1876	lowercase gothic	Birmingham cycle
1900–1901	lowercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1925–1926	uppercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1950–1951	uppercase cursive	Birmingham cycle
1975	uppercase roman	All UK offices, from 1975
2000	lowercase roman	All UK offices, from 1975
2025	uppercase roman	All UK offices, from 1975	Current cycle (2025 A, 2026 B).

Narrowing it down

Other marks and features on the piece can rule candidates out: see dating jewelry by construction features and the other UK hallmarks.

The letter A at other offices: London, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester, Glasgow.

All Birmingham cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter A on a Birmingham hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1773–1774 (uppercase roman); 1798–1799 (lowercase roman); 1824–1825 (uppercase gothic); 1849–1850 (uppercase roman); 1875–1876 (lowercase gothic); 1900–1901 (lowercase roman); 1925–1926 (uppercase roman); 1950–1951 (uppercase cursive); 1975 (uppercase roman, unified cycle); 2000 (lowercase roman, unified cycle); 2025 (uppercase roman, unified cycle).

Sources

All sources are listed with the method on the sources page.