Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks
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Town Marks of France ~ Before 1789 VII

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Valois Arms
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.
Bourbon Arms

French  Town  Marks  Menu

AB          BC          CL          LM          MQ          RT          TV
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Town Mark Community Year Commenced Jurisdiction
Toulouse Town Hallmark Toulouse 1500 Toulouse
Tours Town Hallmark Tours 1529 Tours
Trevoux Town Hallmark Trévoux 1783 Lyon
Troyes Town Hallmark Troyes 1369 Troyes
Uzes Town Hallmark Uzès 1776 Montpellier
Valenciennes Town Hallmark Valenciennes 1625 Lille
Valognes Town Hallmark Valognes 1750 Caen
Vannes Town Hallmark Vannes 1745 Nantes
Verdun Town Hallmark Verdun 1630 Metz
Versailles Town Hallmark Versailles 1768 Paris
Vesoul Town Hallmark Vesoul 1775 Besançon
Vitry le Francais Town Hallmark Vitry le Français 1614 Troyes
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French  Town  Marks  Menu

AB          BC          CL          LM          MQ          RT          TV
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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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