Glasgow hallmark date letter “M”: which year?

The letter M on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1831–1832 (uppercase roman); 1857–1858 (uppercase gothic); 1883–1884 (uppercase sans-serif); 1909–1910 (uppercase cursive); 1935–1936 (lowercase roman); 1959–1960 (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 M at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1831–1832	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1857–1858	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1883–1884	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1909–1910	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1935–1936	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1959–1960	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 M at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter M on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1831–1832 (uppercase roman); 1857–1858 (uppercase gothic); 1883–1884 (uppercase sans-serif); 1909–1910 (uppercase cursive); 1935–1936 (lowercase roman); 1959–1960 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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