French hallmarks guarantee the fineness of silver and the identity of the maker. Reading the Minerva, the boar's head, the crab and the maker's lozenge lets you authenticate an item before selling it.
The fineness hallmark certifies the pure silver content. The Minerva head, helmeted, is the reference hallmark: the figure 1 beside it indicates a fineness of 950 thousandths, the figure 2 a fineness of 800 thousandths. The boar's head once marked the small works of Paris. The crab, more recent, denotes silver of at least 800 thousandths, often imported or of modern make.
These marks are struck during the guarantee control and vouch for the fineness. Their presence distinguishes solid silver from silver plate, which never carries them. To go further on identification, our guide on identifying solid silver details the complementary tests.
Alongside the fineness hallmark often sits the maker's mark: a lozenge containing the maker's initials and a symbol. It identifies the workshop or silversmith without indicating the fineness. The two marks are read together: the fineness for the content, the lozenge for the origin.
On foreign items, other systems exist, with marks such as "925" or "sterling" struck directly into the metal. These numerical indications count as fineness when genuine. Beware of fake hallmarks: a crude, misaligned or inconsistent strike should raise concern. When in doubt, a professional checks the consistency of the marks and, if needed, performs an acid test.
Before a buyback, take a loupe and look for hallmarks under the base, on the back or on the edge of the item. A well-identified lot is valued more easily: the professional saves time on authentication and can offer a clearer rate.
Note that the hallmark guarantees the fineness, not the fine weight: the metal value is always calculated by multiplying the weight by the fineness, then by the day's price. Once your items are sorted and identified, compare offers via our silver buyback page. An item without any official hallmark is not necessarily silver-free, but it will require a more thorough check.
The figure 1 accompanying the Minerva indicates a fineness of 950 thousandths, the figure 2 a fineness of 800 thousandths. The Minerva guarantees that it is indeed controlled solid silver.
Yes, the crab denotes silver of at least 800 thousandths, generally imported or of modern make. It is an official hallmark attesting to solid silver, unlike the marks of silver plate.