What is a duty mark on antique jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A duty mark is a hallmark found on British silver and gold pieces assayed between 2 December 1784 and 30 April 1890, indicating that the maker had paid the duty, or tax, owed to the Crown on precious metals. The mark typically shows the reigning monarch's head in profile; the sovereign's portrait changed over that period as monarchs succeeded one another. Presence of a duty mark on a piece confirms it passed through an official British assay office during that century, which is a useful clue for dating antiques, though its absence does not necessarily mean the item is not genuine.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the duty mark look like on British silver?
- It is a small intaglio portrait of the reigning monarch's head in profile, struck into the metal as a punch mark alongside the other hallmarks. The profile changed as different sovereigns reigned, from George III through to Victoria.
- Is a duty mark the same as a hallmark?
- A duty mark is one mark within the British hallmarking system, sitting alongside the assay office mark, date letter, maker's mark and standard mark. Together these marks make up the full hallmark, and the duty mark is just one element of it.
- Why was duty removed from British precious metals in 1890?
- The duty on silver and gold had been unpopular with the trade for over a century and was seen as a burden on makers and buyers alike. It was repealed in 1890 as part of wider tax reform, which is why no British pieces after that date carry the monarch's head mark.
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