French Town Marks until 1789 Illustrated - VII - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

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Town Marks of France ~ Before 1789 VII

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French Town & City Marks
before 1789
Hallmarking in France began as early as the mid-thirteenth century. Initially only with a town or 'maison commune' mark. The individual maker's mark began its appearance in 14th century Paris and spread to the outlying areas. In 1460, a royal edict called for the use of the variable date letter with crowned top. The 'countermark', the first official type of standard guarantee mark used by French assay masters, was decreed in 1543. In 1672 appeared the 'charge' and 'discharge' marks, both essentially duty marks, but the first also functioned as a further standard guarantee.
Various combinations of the above marks were used at various times and in different areas. Below are illustrated most of the town marks of France listed with the city having jurisdiction over them.

French Town Marks Menu
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A•B B•C C•L L•M M•Q R•T T•V

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Town Mark	Community	Year Commenced	Jurisdiction
	Toulouse	1500	Toulouse
	Tours	1529	Tours
	Trévoux	1783	Lyon
	Troyes	1369	Troyes
	Uzès	1776	Montpellier
	Valenciennes	1625	Lille
	Valognes	1750	Caen
	Vannes	1745	Nantes
	Verdun	1630	Metz
	Versailles	1768	Paris
	Vesoul	1775	Besançon
	Vitry le Français	1614	Troyes

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French Town Marks Menu
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A•B B•C C•L L•M M•Q R•T T•V

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Related Pages at 925-1000.com:
French Hallmarks
World Hallmarks
British Hallmarks Explained
Dutch Hallmarks
German Hallmarks
Austrian Hallmarks
Swedish Hallmarks
Finnish Hallmarks
Norwegian Makers
David-Andersen Marks
Georg Jensen Marks
Mexican Silver Marks

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