Glasgow hallmark date letter “A”: which year?

The letter A on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1819–1820 (uppercase roman); 1845–1846 (uppercase gothic); 1871–1872 (uppercase sans-serif); 1897–1898 (uppercase cursive); 1923–1924 (lowercase roman); 1949–1950 (uppercase gothic).

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 Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1819–1820	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1845–1846	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1871–1872	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1897–1898	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1923–1924	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1949–1950	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle	The office closed on 31-3-1964.

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, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter A on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1819–1820 (uppercase roman); 1845–1846 (uppercase gothic); 1871–1872 (uppercase sans-serif); 1897–1898 (uppercase cursive); 1923–1924 (lowercase roman); 1949–1950 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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