Glasgow hallmark date letter “L”: which year?

The letter L on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1830–1831 (uppercase roman); 1856–1857 (uppercase gothic); 1882–1883 (uppercase sans-serif); 1908–1909 (uppercase cursive); 1934–1935 (lowercase roman); 1958–1959 (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 L at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1830–1831	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1856–1857	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1882–1883	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1908–1909	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1934–1935	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1958–1959	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 L at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter L on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1830–1831 (uppercase roman); 1856–1857 (uppercase gothic); 1882–1883 (uppercase sans-serif); 1908–1909 (uppercase cursive); 1934–1935 (lowercase roman); 1958–1959 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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