EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SILVER AND GOLD HALLMARKS
SWITZERLAND (1881 - 1995)
A silver or gold object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more hallmarks indicating the purity of the metal and the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith
The word "HALLMARK" derives from the fact that, since the 16th century, precious metals were sent to the London Goldsmiths' Hall for testing to ensure that the correct standard of silver had been used. The Goldsmiths' Hall was the headquarters of the Goldsmiths' Company and the home of the Assay Office.
In some countries, the testing of precious metal objects and marking of purity is controlled by a national assay office.
Depending on the national legislation the use of hallmarks may be compulsory, voluntary or provided by a manufacturer's declaration.
The Swiss hallmarking system is organized on a compulsory base.
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SWISS HALLMARKS (1881 - 1995) |
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Until 1881 there was no uniform system of hallmarking in Switzerland. Before that time, hallmarking was undertaken at the local level by the Swiss cantons. With the introduction of the Swiss system of hallmarking in 1881, there was uniformity throughout the nation.
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SILVER |
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| silver hallmarks until 1933 |
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| silver hallmarks after 1933 |
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| imported silver watch-cases |
GOLD |
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| imported gold watch-cases |
PLATINUM |
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| imported platinum watch-cases |
ASSAY OFFICE SYMBOLS |
The Assay Offices are identified by a symbol/letter, which is positioned in the official mark at the spot marked with an X.
* = Berna B = Bienne C = La-Chaux-de-Fonds D = Delemont F = Fleurier G = Geneve g = Grange L = Le Loche N = Neuchatel n = Le Noirmont P = Porrentruy I = St.Imier S = Schaffhouse T = Tramelan
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