German Silver Standards

Germany

The German standard mark (see 1888)

1298 First mention of hallmarking objects in the German area (in Erfurt.)

1548 An imperial law was issued on the basis of which all objects weighing more than 4 lots and produced from 14 lot silver had to be submitted for assay and provided with the mark of the maker and that of the town, or possibly the nobleman on whose territory the goldsmith had settled.

1667 The stipulations found in the imperial law of 1548 were repeated.

1888 On 1 January uniform hallmarks were introduced throughout the territory of Germany. Since that time, objects were hallmarked as follows:
1. maker's mark
2. Fineness in figures (in thousandths)
3. Crescent mark with a crown (stamped by the maker himself if the silver is of higher purity than 800/1000).

1298	First mention of hallmarking objects in the German area (in Erfurt.)
1548	An imperial law was issued on the basis of which all objects weighing more than 4 lots and produced from 14 lot silver had to be submitted for assay and provided with the mark of the maker and that of the town, or possibly the nobleman on whose territory the goldsmith had settled.
1667	The stipulations found in the imperial law of 1548 were repeated.
1888	On 1 January uniform hallmarks were introduced throughout the territory of Germany. Since that time, objects were hallmarked as follows: 1. maker's mark 2. Fineness in figures (in thousandths) 3. Crescent mark with a crown (stamped by the maker himself if the silver is of higher purity than 800/1000).