Are these French Minerva mark?

[Peartree]

Hi, I am trying to figure out the origins of a bracelet I have acquired (see European jewellery). It seems to have (two repeated) French Minerva mark (s). Is someone able to confirm that? From the online research I have accessed the French silver Minerva mark is not normally in an oval? Date is certainly c 1895. Thank you. Anthony

[Aguest]

:::: I may have found this mark on a mutineer, on the part where another piece of silver fits over, similar to your bracelet which has another piece that fits over it. ::::: Could it be possible that this hallmark has something to do with another piece of silver fitting on top of it? ::::::::

[Peartree]

Thank you. I am not sure that is the answer sadly. From further research the Minerva’s on my bracelet look quite like the pre 1868 Belgian Minerva which can have a distinctive “A” for Brussels in the head which looks similar to the assays on my piece. But they are not the same. I can find nothing on post 1868 Belgian/ Brussels marks but wonder if that is what these are?

[Aguest]

:::: I could not get an in-focus pic of your 2 hallmarks. :::::



::::: Does your hallmark appear to be the gold hallmark shown above? :::::
::::: I'm confused about the "Minerva in a circle" terminology so I'm just looking for a picture that matches your hallmarks :::::::::

[oel]

Office mark for large and medium work. NB. Always struck in combination with the large standard mark.
See;
viewtopic.php?p=80265#p80265
The office mark is never struck twice on one and the same item, only once and in combination with a standard mark.


The Austro-Hungary import hallmark AV conjoined in a hexagon with an incorporated regional assay office letter, is for silver and used 1872 to 1902. The regional assay office letter is it R or K or? I believe the two oval marks are not Belgian.



Peter.

[Peartree]

Hi, the Minerva on the bracelet is facing to the right, so not at all the images you sent through. The closest I can find to it is the pre 1868 Belgian Minerva.

[Peartree]

Responding to Peter, thank you for that reply. Appreciated. I agree the bracelet “Minerva” is not quite French or Belgian. But who then!!! I cant find another Minerva for any other country?!

[oel]

Perhaps French weevil mark in oval, for imported gold & silver items (Treaty Country), used 1864-1893 (2). Struck twice to indicate two silver lock parts. Regional assay office letter V for department Ain, town assay office Bellegarde, used 1838 to 1992
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellegarde-sur-Valserine



Peter.


Source; Michael Fieggen, French Precious Metal Hallmarks from 1789 to date

[Peartree]

Thanks so much. My eye keeps seeing Minerva but I think you are right.

[bijoux.expert]

The best solution is to hold a loupe against the camera lens of a telephone and take some great photos. This will make it much easier to identify your marks.

[anikopol]

According to the shape of the marks, an oval, it is almost sure that it is not the French Minerva hallmark.

Oel's suggestion seems indeed a consistent one.