Glasgow hallmark date letter “E”: which year?

The letter E on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1823–1824 (uppercase roman); 1849–1850 (uppercase gothic); 1875–1876 (uppercase sans-serif); 1901–1902 (uppercase cursive); 1927–1928 (lowercase roman); 1953–1954 (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 E at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1823–1824	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1849–1850	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1875–1876	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1901–1902	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1927–1928	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1953–1954	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 E at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter E on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1823–1824 (uppercase roman); 1849–1850 (uppercase gothic); 1875–1876 (uppercase sans-serif); 1901–1902 (uppercase cursive); 1927–1928 (lowercase roman); 1953–1954 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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