1. Jewelry Identifier
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  3. LION_PASSANT

* Silver hallmark

The LION_PASSANT hallmark: meaning, purity & value

British assay mark: walking lion in profile. Indicates sterling silver (925) since 1544. One of the four mandatory British hallmarks (sponsor + standard + assay office + date letter). After 1822 the lion's head changes from facing forward to in-profile.

Published May 30, 2026

Quick facts

Metal
Silver
Purity
92.5%
Fineness
925/1000
Common regions
UK

Stamps that mean the same thing

This purity may be struck into jewelry as any of: LION_PASSANT / LION / Lion Passant / WALKING LION. The mark differs by country and era, but the metal content is identical.

What LION_PASSANT tells you

British assay mark: walking lion in profile. Indicates sterling silver (925) since 1544. One of the four mandatory British hallmarks (sponsor + standard + assay office + date letter). After 1822 the lion's head changes from facing forward to in-profile.

How to value it

The melt value of a LION_PASSANT piece is silver spot price × 0.925 × weight (g). A buyer typically deducts 5–15% for assay, refining, and margin, so the cash offer lands just under that figure. Stones and complex settings are usually excluded from the metal weight.

Live calculators: silver purity × weight · per-gram hub.

How to check it yourself

  1. Examine the stamp under a 10× loupe — genuine marks are crisp and evenly struck, not doubled or smeared.
  2. Confirm the mark reads LION_PASSANT or an equivalent such as LION.
  3. Photograph it in the Jewelry Identifier app to read the metal, hallmark, and any gemstones from the image.
  4. For a binding result, have an assay office or gemological lab run an XRF purity test.

Sources

* Frequently asked

FAQ

Q. Is LION_PASSANT the same as LION?
A. Yes. LION_PASSANT, LION, Lion Passant, WALKING LION all denote the same material — 92.5% silver. Different markets and eras stamp it differently, but the purity is identical.
Q. How much is LION_PASSANT worth?
A. Its melt value is the silver spot price × 0.925 × the weight in grams. Buyers then deduct roughly 5–15% for refining and margin, so a quoted buy-back price sits a little below that theoretical figure.
Q. How do I confirm a LION_PASSANT stamp is genuine?
A. Look at the mark under 10× magnification for crisp, even strikes, cross-check the weight-to-volume ratio against the expected density, scan it with the Jewelry Identifier app, and — when it matters — have an XRF test done by an assay office or gemological lab.

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