Glasgow hallmark date letter “B”: which year?

The letter B on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1820–1821 (uppercase roman); 1846–1847 (uppercase gothic); 1872–1873 (uppercase sans-serif); 1898–1899 (uppercase cursive); 1924–1925 (lowercase roman); 1950–1951 (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 B at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1820–1821	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1846–1847	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1872–1873	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1898–1899	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1924–1925	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1950–1951	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 B at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter B on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1820–1821 (uppercase roman); 1846–1847 (uppercase gothic); 1872–1873 (uppercase sans-serif); 1898–1899 (uppercase cursive); 1924–1925 (lowercase roman); 1950–1951 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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