The Duty Mark

In 1757 although the silver trade was obviously flourishing the Government recognised that very little of the 6d per ounce duty in force at the time was being paid. To resolve this situation they imposed instead a £2 plate licence payable by all those who made or traded in precious metals. It also made the counterfeiting of hallmarks a crime punishable by death! In 1784 legislation was introduced that recorded that duty of 6d per ounce had been paid by having the Sovereign's Head stamped on all precious metals other than the lightest and flimsiest examples.

	From 1784 - 1786 the head of George III was shown incuse in an octagonal punch, facing to the left.
	From 1786 this changed to the head in cameo, facing to the right.
	This practice was continued for the heads of George IV
	and William IV
	But the head of Victoria was shown facing the left.

Although the mark was struck at all provincial assay offices, it's introduction was delayed in Dublin until 1807. The 6d per ounce duty remained in force until 1797 when it was doubled. Birmingham in particular showed this double duty by striking the Sovereign's Head twice

In 1804 the duty was raised to 1s 3d and again in 1815 to 1s 6d calculated on 5/6th of the total weight of the piece. This was to allow for the usual wastage incurred in finishing. The duty on gold and silver was finally removed in 1890 but the £2 plate licence remained in force until quite recently.

	In 1934 - 1936 the Sovereign's Head was struck to mark the Silver Jubilee of George V and Queen Mary, used voluntarily on silver only
	In 1952 - 1953 to mark the Coronation of Elizabeth II (on both silver and gold)
	and in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II (also a voluntary mark).

For nine months between Dec 1st 1784 and July 1785 the figure of Britannia - standing and struck incuse - was used on exported silver and gold. This mark was struck on finished wares and the danger of damage to a piece was so great that this practice was soon discontinued and duty drawback was claimed on shipping bills, thus making this the rarest of English silver marks.