A crown stamp on the bottom of a silver object indicates that it was manufactured in Sheffield, UK, prior to 1975. Such stamps are called silver hallmarks. Hallmarks disclose how pure the silver is and offer clues as to its manufacturer and place of origin.
Silver hallmarks are arranged in a line. The first stamp usually depicts a lion, which indicates that the piece is British sterling silver. The city stamp, such as Sheffield's crown or its current rose symbol, comes next. A letter stamp shows the manufacture date by signifying a specific year. Each manufacturer also adds its own unique maker's stamp.
