Glasgow hallmark date letter “H”: which year?

The letter H on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1826–1827 (uppercase roman); 1852–1853 (uppercase gothic); 1878–1879 (uppercase sans-serif); 1904–1905 (uppercase cursive); 1930–1931 (lowercase roman); 1956–1957 (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 H at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1826–1827	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1852–1853	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1878–1879	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1904–1905	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1930–1931	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1956–1957	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 H at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter H on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1826–1827 (uppercase roman); 1852–1853 (uppercase gothic); 1878–1879 (uppercase sans-serif); 1904–1905 (uppercase cursive); 1930–1931 (lowercase roman); 1956–1957 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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