Birmingham hallmark date letter “B”: which year?

The letter B on a Birmingham hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1774–1775 (uppercase roman); 1799–1800 (lowercase roman); 1825–1826 (uppercase gothic); 1850–1851 (uppercase roman); 1876–1877 (lowercase gothic); 1901–1902 (lowercase roman); 1926–1927 (uppercase roman); 1951–1952 (uppercase cursive); 1976 (uppercase roman, unified cycle); 2001 (lowercase roman, unified cycle); 2026 (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 B at Birmingham

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1774–1775	uppercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1799–1800	lowercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1825–1826	uppercase gothic	Birmingham cycle
1850–1851	uppercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1876–1877	lowercase gothic	Birmingham cycle
1901–1902	lowercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1926–1927	uppercase roman	Birmingham cycle
1951–1952	uppercase cursive	Birmingham cycle
1976	uppercase roman	All UK offices, from 1975
2001	lowercase roman	All UK offices, from 1975
2026	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 B at other offices: London, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester, Glasgow.

All Birmingham cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter B on a Birmingham hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1774–1775 (uppercase roman); 1799–1800 (lowercase roman); 1825–1826 (uppercase gothic); 1850–1851 (uppercase roman); 1876–1877 (lowercase gothic); 1901–1902 (lowercase roman); 1926–1927 (uppercase roman); 1951–1952 (uppercase cursive); 1976 (uppercase roman, unified cycle); 2001 (lowercase roman, unified cycle); 2026 (uppercase roman, unified cycle).

Sources

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