Hallmarks are official marks or series of marks that are stamped onto silver rounds, silver bars, and other silver products. The marks and stamps provide information to consumers about their product’s purity, origin, and maker.
The History of Hallmarks
Hallmarking precious metals dates to the reign of King Edward I (1239-1307). The King issued a decree that gold and silver be tested and approved by master artisans before being sold. Those who then wanted to sell silver or gold in London were required to submit their goods to Goldsmith’s Hall to ensure they met the quality standards of the craftsman. If their goods were approved, they received a stamp of approval or hallmark.
While the term hallmark originally referred to the stamp received at Goldsmith’s Hall, it has come to refer to any marks guaranteeing purity or genuineness.
Things to Look for in a Hallmark
These will be limited to products in the United States, where no legislation mandates hallmark specifics like what may be found in other nations. While this lack of legislation frees manufacturers from an obligation to assayers’ offices, it reinforces the importance of the phrase Caveat Emptor, as buyers must be vigilant about the authenticity of their purchases.
As such, the silver and gold products you will find for sale in the United States do not always have an assayer’s mark. The best advice for navigating a market with convincing counterfeit products is to only buy from dealers and retailers you trust.
Hallmarks for Purity or Fineness of Precious Metals Products
The hallmark for purity on a silver round is the most fundamental aspect of a hallmark.
The purity of a precious metal’s product like a silver round or silver bar will normally be found expressed in parts per thousand or greater. When you see a silver round with a .999 in its hallmark, the round is 99.9% silver and 00.1% alloyed metals.
For instance, if you see a round that has a .925 stamp, it is 75% silver with 25% other metals, and this lets us know it is a sterling silver round.
Common standards for purity include .900 for coin silver or coins made from 90% silver, .999 for 99.9% silver, and .925 for sterling silver.
Hallmarks for the Maker’s Mark
A maker’s mark enables consumers to trace the origin of a round or bar and provides accountability for the quality of the metal and the craftsmanship. The marker’s mark is a set of initials or a symbol that identifies the producer of the silver round or bar. With most private mints and issuers, the maker’s mark will be the company’s logo.
Hallmarks for Weight of Precious Metals Products
The third hallmark to pay attention to is the listed weight. This will typically be listed in ounces. Sometimes kilograms and grams are common for metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
The weight of a precious metal’s product will almost always be listed in troy units if it is listed in ounces or pounds. While silver and gold products no longer receive fineness stamps from Goldsmith’s Hall, we still rely on hallmarks to distinguish one product from another in terms of weight, fineness, or manufacturer.
The United States does not have strict regulations of hallmarks like the United Kingdom. This makes it imperative to do business with dealers you trust to avoid the possibility of buying fake or fraudulent silver bars.
To ensure the authenticity and quality of your silver investments, it’s essential to buy from trusted sources. This is particularly true when purchasing larger quantities, such as 100 oz silver bars. One of the reliable options available are APMEX 100 oz silver bars, which meet high purity standards and feature clear hallmarks that guarantee their weight and fineness. When you buy 100 oz APMEX silver bars, you’re investing in a product that proudly displays the hallmarks of a trusted and reputable mint, ensuring you receive a genuine and high-quality silver bar.
