Glasgow hallmark date letter “P”: which year?

The letter P on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1834–1835 (uppercase roman); 1860–1861 (uppercase gothic); 1886–1887 (uppercase sans-serif); 1912–1913 (uppercase cursive); 1938–1939 (lowercase roman); 1962–1963 (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 P at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1834–1835	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1860–1861	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1886–1887	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1912–1913	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1938–1939	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1962–1963	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 P at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter P on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1834–1835 (uppercase roman); 1860–1861 (uppercase gothic); 1886–1887 (uppercase sans-serif); 1912–1913 (uppercase cursive); 1938–1939 (lowercase roman); 1962–1963 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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