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The first known use of hallmarks were in England in 1773. It was in effort to standardise a conformity to legal standards of purity. Archaeological hallmarking has been identified as early as 1300 when no gold or silver could be sold without the King's mark (or hallmark) stamped upon it. Following the King's mark, came additional marks to identify the goldsmith by their mark or 'hallmark.' Impressions of a key, or a fish, were among the earliest and later replaced by the goldsmith's initials. In the 18th century came regulations to include the place of origin - London, New York, Boston, etc.

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12y ago

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