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I can't figure out what the year is on this item. I've looked two code books and they don't have this letter shape with the shield shape. Anyone know what the date code on this piece is?

Hi,

This Birmingham letter series always causes problems. I would go for 'x' for 1897 on the strength that Edwin Alfred Marsh, the maker of your piece, entered a similar mark with the Chester Assay Office on the 17th December 1898. I'm unaware of the date of his Birmingham registration, but as it was a popular choice of the Birmingham jewellers to have their better pieces assayed at Chester, it may not have been too much earlier.

Trev.

Sounds good and thanks for giving me the maker's name. I couldn't find it in any of my reference books. Regards, Ernie.

It looks more like "r" for 1891 to me. I have previously seen this mark on an 1891 Birmingham-assayed brooch. Note that the punch shape for Birmingham date letters (especially the "q" and "r") does not always match that illustrated in books.

We've had the 'is it an x, or is it an r' debate before with this dateletter series, and I always wince whenever the question crops up!



I think I can see a definite tail to the left hand side of the base.

More opinions please!

Trev.

Hi,

For what’s worth herewith my opinion; looking at the base of the date letter r (1891) and the almost vertical line without curve up to the top right 'fat dot'. If we compare all this against de date letter x (1897) my conclusion we might be looking at the r.

Oel.

A "real" r and x for comparison:



Phil

Hi Phil,

You've convinced me! The upright shank of the 'r' reveals all.

Trev.