Hallmarking – Seven Centuries of Assaying and Consumer Protection

Abstract

Hallmarking has been in existence for nearly 700 years and can therefore justly claim to be one of the oldest forms of consumer protection. Since it is based on accurate chemical analysis, a review of its development over the centuries provides an interesting sidelight on the history of technology. Some of the techniques involved, such as the method of assaying gold, have stood the test of time, but, as might be expected, technological advances, particularly in the field of analytical chemistry, have resulted in improvements to the system. Hallmarks are of great importance to connoisseurs and collectors of British antique silver. The variations in the marks and their meanings provide the basis of a complicated and fascinating subject, but in the present context it is the techniques involved in assaying and marking that are of particular interest, especially as these are not so well documented.