Happy 50th anniversary to the Hallmarking Act, which was passed on 25 July 1973 and came into effect in 1975.

This image shows 22 carat gold hallmarks before the Act came into effect, (top) in 1974, and after, (bottom) in 1975.

The carat weight has been replaced by a millesimal value and all British Assay Offices re-started their date letters to begin at ‘A’, changing with the calendar year.

The Act aimed to tidy up the complexities that had found their way into hallmarking law, making hallmarks easier to understand, whilst still retaining their rich history and traditions.