Hall marks on gold & silver plate

T72
HALL MARKS ON PLATE.
In 1558 the lion is enclosed in an irregularly shaped outline,
and so appears until 1678 :
In 1678 the lion was placed in an arched outline, which was used
until 1697 :
The standard of silver was raised, and the mark of the lion
passant was changed to that of " the figure of a woman commonly
called Britannia," on March 25, 1697.
This form of stamp is still used at the present time for the
higher standard.
In 1720 the old standard was again allowed and the lion passant
was agam used. Between 1720 and 1739 the lion was placed
in a rectangle :
From 1739 until 1756 the shaped outline was again used
The <strong>marks</strong> at this period are somewhat uncertain in form.
From 1756 until 1896 the lion was placed in a regular shield