Glasgow hallmark date letter “R”: which year?

The letter R on a Glasgow hallmark can be any of these years, depending on its case and typeface: 1836–1837 (uppercase roman); 1862–1863 (uppercase gothic); 1888–1889 (uppercase sans-serif); 1914–1915 (uppercase cursive); 1940–1941 (lowercase roman); 1963–1964 (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 R at Glasgow

Years	Letter style	Cycle	Note
1836–1837	uppercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1862–1863	uppercase gothic	Glasgow cycle
1888–1889	uppercase sans-serif	Glasgow cycle
1914–1915	uppercase cursive	Glasgow cycle
1940–1941	lowercase roman	Glasgow cycle
1963–1964	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 R at other offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester.

All Glasgow cycles

Frequently asked

What year is the letter R on a Glasgow hallmark?

It depends on the shape of the letter: 1836–1837 (uppercase roman); 1862–1863 (uppercase gothic); 1888–1889 (uppercase sans-serif); 1914–1915 (uppercase cursive); 1940–1941 (lowercase roman); 1963–1964 (uppercase gothic).

Sources

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