In 1876 it was enacted (39 and 40 Vict. _cap._ 35) that all foreign plate, before its sale in England, should be assayed here and bear the letter F in an oval escutcheon. Amended by 4 Edward VII, _cap._ 6, 1904.
In regard to forgery of silver plate there is ample provision to bring the offenders to book. By Vict. 7 and 8, _cap._ 22, sections 5 and 6, penalties are provided for those altering and adding to plate, and possessing, selling, or exporting such plate without fresh assay; a fine of £10 can be imposed for each article so found in a person’s possession without lawful excuse.
From 1837 the head of Queen Victoria appears as a Duty Mark, and till 1875 the leopard’s head, still uncrowned, is of a different form (see Table, page 357).
In this period the shape of the shield for the date letter, which had remained the same since 1756, was now for the last time used. Its new shape is shown in the following period.
The shape of the date shield was changed with the letter B in 1877. In 1876, with the letter A, the shield of the leopard’s head was changed, and the face became more feline with whiskers (see Table, page 357). In 1876 another new mark was added, the letter F, in an oval escutcheon, which was compulsory by law to be stamped on all foreign silver assayed at any office in the United Kingdom.
In 1890 the sovereign’s head disappears, as the duty on silver was then abolished.
In this last period of all it will be observed that the shields of the date letter and the leopard’s head both change their shapes, and have three lobes.
[5] These and subsequent alphabets follow entries in the minutes of the Goldsmiths’ Company, and were verified from pieces of plate by Mr. Octavius Morgan. (See p. 38.)
[6] These letters have been verified by me from pieces of old silver.--A. H.
[7] _The Position of Marks._ Marks are not placed on old silver in a straight line. They are shown in this manner in this volume for convenience, and are the author’s own arrangement. They are in practice irregularly stamped, sometimes in a circle and sometimes upside down. It must be borne in mind that the maker put his mark on first prior to sending the piece to the Assay Office. The remaining marks were stamped thereon under the direction of the Wardens. Although the maker’s mark was stamped first, some of the other marks were often placed on each side of it.