Baltimore Silversmiths’ Marking System

Baltimore silversmiths had their own silver marking system. They used the last name or initials until 1790, an eagle, the word sterling, an eagle head, and a spread eagle until 1814 when silver was assayed. It had to be at least 91.7% quality. The new mark was the arms of the state, a date letter, a man’s head facing right and a maker’s mark of a full name or initials. This marking stopped in 1843.