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A seated figure of Britannia marking the higher 958 silver standard.
Also known as: Britannia standard, Seated figure on silver
A seated female figure with a shield and trident. Marks Britannia standard silver — 958 parts per thousand, purer than sterling — which was compulsory in England between 1697 and 1720 to stop silversmiths melting down the coinage.
A seated figure of Britannia struck to mark silver of 958 parts per thousand, a higher standard than sterling.
United Kingdom · Contexts: Jewellery
Compulsory in England between 1697 and 1720, when sterling was withdrawn as a plate standard specifically to stop silversmiths melting coinage for raw material — a monetary measure rather than a quality initiative.
England · 1697–1720
Remains available as an optional standard, so a modern piece may carry it; its presence on an older piece is a firm dating indicator for the 1697–1720 window.
A small seated female figure in profile holding an upright trident, with a shield resting beside her, struck inside a shaped outline.
Both are standard marks for silver at different finenesses.