Hallmarks are the fastest way to separate sterling silver from look-alikes — and they can also tell you who made the piece, where it was tested, and sometimes exactly when it was marked. The catch: you usually need to read a cluster of marks, not one lonely stamp.
Use this quick quiz to identify five of the most common silver marks, then follow the checklist to avoid the classic mistakes (confusing EPNS for sterling, relying on “Germany”/“Italy” alone, or polishing until the punches disappear).
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Silver hallmark quiz: 5 common marks (and what they mean)
Treat this like a collector’s “spot test.” The goal isn’t to memorize every symbol; it’s to learn what each mark proves and what you still need to confirm.
| Mark | Usually means | Why it matters | Quick tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| “925” / “STERLING” | 92.5% silver alloy (sterling) | Confirms silver content standard for many modern pieces | Look near clasps, ring shanks, or utensil handle backs |
| Lion passant (UK) | British sterling standard | Strong authenticity signal when paired with other UK marks | Read the whole row: maker + lion + office + date letter |
| Maker’s mark | Who made/sponsored the piece | Can add a major premium (Tiffany, Georg Jensen, etc.) | Maker marks alone aren’t proof of sterling; pair with a purity mark |
| Assay office symbol (UK) | Where it was tested | Helps date and authenticate British silver | Often a tiny icon in its own shield/cartouche |
| Date letter (UK) | Year of hallmarking cycle | Can date the piece precisely when matched to the right font/shield | The same letter repeats across cycles; the shield shape matters |
Bonus trick mark: EPNS, A1, Electroplate, and Silverplate usually indicate plated base metal — value may still exist, but it’s not sterling melt value.
The 10-minute hallmark reading checklist
- Find all mark locations. Jewelry often has marks at the clasp or inner shank; hollowware and trays are often marked on the base rim; flatware is usually on the back of the handle near the neck.
- Use raking light. A flashlight held low to the surface makes faint punches readable — especially on worn flatware and over-polished pieces.
- Photograph the whole cluster. Don’t crop to a single stamp. The cluster order (maker → standard → office → date) is evidence.
- Separate “sterling” marks from “plate” marks. 925/STERLING and UK standard marks point to silver; EPNS/A1 point to plate.
- Confirm with context. Weight, construction, and wear patterns should match the claimed metal.
Mark #1: “925” / “STERLING” (what it proves)
925 means the alloy is 92.5% silver by weight (with copper and other metals making up the rest). “STERLING” is the plain-language version. On most modern jewelry, these are the marks you’ll see most often.
- Common companions: a maker’s mark, country of origin, pattern number, or a retailer stamp.
- Watch-outs: very shallow punches can happen from wear or polishing — not automatically “fake.”
Marks #2–#5: reading a British hallmark row
UK hallmarking is powerful because it can combine standard (sterling), maker, assay office, and date letter into one row. For dating and authentication, you want to photograph the whole sequence clearly.
Important: date letters repeat across cycles. To decode them correctly, you need the shield shape and letter style (serif vs sans) — not just the letter itself.
Mark #3: the maker’s mark (who made it)
A maker’s mark is often a small set of initials inside a cartouche. On jewelry, it might be a brand name; on flatware, a pattern or workshop mark. Maker identity can matter more than silver content when the maker is collectible.
Common false positives (and how to spot silverplate)
Most misreads happen because people assume “silver color = silver.” Here are the fastest tells when you suspect plate — especially on trays, serving pieces, and hotel/restaurant flatware.
- Nickel silver / German silver: often not silver — these are white metal alloys unless paired with a silver fineness mark.
- “Weighted” bases: some candlesticks are sterling shells over weighted cores; value is not “all silver.”
Decision tree: sterling vs silverplate in under a minute
If you only remember one thing: read the marks as a sequence, then use weight + wear as a reality check. This flowchart summarizes that workflow.
How hallmarks show up in real prices (3 auction comps)
Hallmarks don’t guarantee high value, but they unlock the right market. Below are three comps from Appraisily’s auction results database showing how maker, purity, and form can move prices.
When to get a professional silver appraisal
Consider a professional review when any of these are true:
- Insurance or estate needs: you need documented replacement value.
- High-end maker clues: Tiffany, Georg Jensen, Cartier, and other premium brands.
- Ambiguous marks: you can’t confidently separate sterling from plate.
- Large sets: flatware services, tea/coffee sets, or mixed lots where sorting saves money.
Image gallery: hallmark examples you can compare
Use these examples as a visual checklist. Your exact marks may differ (especially by country), but the structure — purity, maker, office/date — is the same.
FAQ
Q: Is a magnet test enough to confirm silver?
Not by itself. Silver is not magnetic, but many non-silver metals are also non-magnetic. Use marks + weight + wear patterns (and a pro metal test like XRF for high-stakes pieces).
Q: Does “no hallmark” mean it’s fake?
Not necessarily. Some pieces are unmarked due to wear, repair, age, or regional practices. When the value is meaningful, a professional test beats guessing.
Search variations collectors ask
Readers often Google:
- what does 925 mean on silver jewelry
- what does lion passant mean on silver
- is EPNS real silver or silver plated
- how to read British silver hallmarks date letters
- where are hallmarks located on sterling flatware
- how to tell sterling silver from nickel silver
- does sterling silver have to be marked
- how to identify a maker’s mark on silver
Each question is answered in the hallmark guide above.
References
- General hallmarking standards and terminology: sterling (.925), continental (.800), coin silver, and common silverplate marks.
- UK hallmark structure overview: maker mark, standard mark, assay office symbol, and date letter cycles.
- Auction comps cited in-text sourced from Appraisily’s internal auction results database (three examples above).
Continue your valuation journey
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