1)  These are authenticating marks struck (stamped) on all modern and most old English, Scottish and Irish silver and gold. It is the oldest form of consumer protection known. In medieval England regulation of the Gold and Silversmith´s art was in the hands of the London Goldsmith´s Company; Scotland acceeded to this jurisdiction after the Act of Union. In Dublin Charles I granted the city its own Company by Charter in 1637 although there was no duty on silver until 1730. The term Hallmarking came to include the makers marks (first established in 1363) in addition to the Town and Assay office marks.
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2)   This is a term established to confirm that silver is 92.5% pure - which when first used was the same as the quality of the coinage.
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3)  The Britannia Standard was established in 1696 following the practise of melting down coinage for the manufacture of silver (a custom reversed in times of war) which at the time was deemed to be excessive so silversmiths were forbidden to use Sterling but were obliged to use the higher standard of 95.8%; to denote this a figure of "a woman called Britannia" was used; the Lion´s head replaced the Lion Passant and Crowned Leopard´s head. The clamour against the sole imposition of this standard was so great that the Sterling Standard was restored in 1720.
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Currently Under Development.

However if there are any words you think should be listed here, please let us know - we would appreciate your input.
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