The assaying and hallmarking of objects made from the precious metals gold and silver is the oldest form of consumer protection and has been practised in England now for over seven centuries. The ancient tradition at the London Assay Office is described; this consists of sampling the articles submitted, assaying the sample taken and hallmarking the object with a series of marks. These processes are today greatly streamlined by the use of computers. Fire assay is still the only method that will meet the UK legal requirements for gold.
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References
1.
ForbesJ. S.: ‘Hallmarking – seven centuries of assaying and consumer protection’, Interdisc. Sci. Rev., 1984, 9, (3), 230–239.
