Hallmarks · By country
Dutch hallmarks
The Dutch system dates its work and uses a lion for silver, with a numeral distinguishing the two standards. Dutch 833 silver is a national signature.
- Marking since
- 1814
- Gives a year
- Yes
How the system works
A lion mark for silver with the standard indicated, a fineness figure, an assay office letter, a maker's mark and a date letter. Small items below a minimum weight carry a simplified mark.
The marks
| Mark | What it means |
|---|---|
| Lion | The Dutch silver standard mark, with a numeral distinguishing the standards. |
The standards
| Figure or mark | Fineness and use |
|---|---|
| 934 | Dutch first standard silver. |
| 833 | Dutch second standard silver, the one most often met. |
| 333 | 8 carat gold. |
| 585 | 14 carat gold. |
| 750 | 18 carat gold. |
Dating a dutch piece
By date letter against the Dutch tables. The 1814 reorganisation is the practical starting point for reading Dutch marks.
Where people go wrong
- 833 is the characteristic Dutch second standard silver and is not sterling.
- The Netherlands, like Germany, permits 333 gold, which is 8 carat.
- Dutch marks are small and the assay office letter is easily mistaken for part of the maker's mark.
Other countries
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