English sterling silver is one of the few antique items that come with virtually a guarantee of its age and manufacturer due to hallmarking requirements. Dating back to 1478, London silversmiths have been required to date mark any of their pieces.
English sterling silver has its own unique hallmarking system, and to novices, they may seem like a random collection of figures and letters in impressed boxes known as cartouches. Every English sterling item will be hallmarked with a lion (standing on three legs with its front, right paw raised), a city mark, a date mark, and a maker’s mark. Some pieces also include a duty mark, such as Queen Victoria’s or King George’s head, according to the year that the piece was manufactured.