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- Chester Assay Office
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Chester Assay Office: hallmarks, history, and town mark
Operated 1701-1962. The Chester mark is a useful temporal anchor for dating English jewelry to before 1962. Records transferred to Birmingham upon closure.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Operator
- Chester Assay Office (closed)
- Location
- Chester, United Kingdom
- Founded
- 1701
- Status
- Closed 1962
- Town mark
- Three wheatsheaves (sometimes with sword)
About the Chester Assay Office
Operated 1701-1962. The Chester mark is a useful temporal anchor for dating English jewelry to before 1962. Records transferred to Birmingham upon closure.
The town mark
The Chester Assay Office strikes a distinctive symbol — Three wheatsheaves (sometimes with sword). This town mark identifies where a piece was assayed, so spotting it on a ring, chain, or piece of silverware tells you which office tested and guaranteed its metal content.
Sources
- Chester Assay Office historical records
- Wikidata Q5092572
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Where is the Chester Assay Office?
- A. It is based in Chester, United Kingdom. It is run by Chester Assay Office (closed).
- Q. Is the Chester Assay Office still operating?
- A. No. It closed in 1962, having operated since 1701. A piece bearing its mark therefore predates 1962.
- Q. What hallmark symbol does the Chester Assay Office use?
- A. Its town mark is three wheatsheaves (sometimes with sword). That symbol identifies the office where a piece was tested for purity, so you can use it to trace where the item was assayed.
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