CuriSnap marks and hallmarks field guide
UK assay office symbols: London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh
A UK assay-office mark identifies where an article was tested and hallmarked. Current official guidance lists four offices: London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh. The assay office is not automatically the maker’s location or the place where every part was manufactured.
Which four assay offices appear in current UK guidance?
The official summary identifies London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh. Use the current official chart for symbol outlines.
How should an office mark be photographed?
Photograph the entire object first, then the complete mark group, then a sharp close-up from a second light angle. Record dimensions separately. Preserve the original file; do not polish, scrape or retouch a mark to make it easier to read.
| Evidence | What to record | Research limit |
|---|---|---|
| Office | Current symbol named in guidance | Does not identify |
| London | Leopard’s head | Individual maker |
| Birmingham | Anchor | Manufacturing date |
| Sheffield | Rose | Object value |
| Edinburgh | Castle | Authenticity of every component |
Does the office mark identify the maker?
No. The sponsor’s mark identifies the person or business that submitted the article; the office mark identifies the assay office.
What can an assay-office symbol prove?
A photographed mark is evidence to research, not a certificate. A mark alone cannot prove authenticity, exact age, maker attribution, precious-metal content, condition or market value. Compare the complete object with documented records and obtain an in-person test when the decision depends on material or authenticity.
How should older marks be researched?
Use an official or specialist period chart and preserve the complete hallmark. Office symbols and outlines have changed over time.
Primary references
References support the stated systems and documented examples. They do not endorse CuriSnap or authenticate a reader’s object.
Frequently asked questions
Can uk assay office symbols authenticate an object?
No. A photograph and reference comparison can narrow a research question, but authentication and material testing require appropriate examination of the object.
What photograph should I take first?
Take one sharp photograph of the entire object, followed by the complete mark group and a close-up from a second light angle.