LONDON MARKS
1697 to 1715
WILLIAM III (1697-1702), QUEEN ANNE (1702-1714)
During this period there were some important Acts of Parliament which relate to Silver Plate and determine certain changes which are interesting to collectors.
In 1696-7, by 8 and 9 William III, cap. 8, the standard of silver plate was raised higher than that of the coinage, to stop the practice of melting down the coin of the realm and converting it into plate. From the 25th of March, 1697, the new standard became compulsory, and any silver plate made less than ·959, that is, 959 parts of pure silver in every thousand, was illegal. The marks of the maker were to be the first two letters of his surname, and the lion passant and the leopard’s head were to be discontinued. The new standard silver was to be stamped with the figure of Britannia in place of the former mark, and the lion’s head erased in place of the latter.
In 1700, under 12 William III, cap. 4, Chester, York, Exeter, Bristol, and Norwich were reappointed Assay Towns with the right to stamp silver.
It was enacted that the new standard should be observed; that the maker’s mark, the variable date letter (“Roman”), the arms of the city, the lion’s head erased, and the figure of Britannia be stamped on the silver.
In 1702, 1 Anne, cap. 3, a similar power was conferred on Newcastle-on-Tyne.