Colmar 18th c French Mark
Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:29 pm
No question here, just one of my favorite marks. The Perpignan mark is my favorite visually, this is my favorite mathematically. I hope I don't make a math error.
We all know the Paris standard under the ancien regime was 11 dernier 12 grains with 2 grains of tolerance, which is why Paris marks have two dots. We also know that Alsace was allowed a lower quality to allow for gilding which they did better than anyone else. So they were allowed to use 13/16 fine silver or .813 fine. But that is of course is the German method, so lets give the French system. They were allowed to make silver that was 9 derniers 20 grains. So less check the math pure silver would be 12 derniers there were 24 grains to a dernier. So Alsace used 9/12 silver or .750 plus 20/24 of one dernier or .069 so .750+.069=.819, close enough.
So this Colmar tells you the truth 9 derniers 20 grains. I know of only one other piece with this mark, I don't think it is in any of the books.
I really like the way they spelled it out. Oh the other mark is a glove.
We all know the Paris standard under the ancien regime was 11 dernier 12 grains with 2 grains of tolerance, which is why Paris marks have two dots. We also know that Alsace was allowed a lower quality to allow for gilding which they did better than anyone else. So they were allowed to use 13/16 fine silver or .813 fine. But that is of course is the German method, so lets give the French system. They were allowed to make silver that was 9 derniers 20 grains. So less check the math pure silver would be 12 derniers there were 24 grains to a dernier. So Alsace used 9/12 silver or .750 plus 20/24 of one dernier or .069 so .750+.069=.819, close enough.
So this Colmar tells you the truth 9 derniers 20 grains. I know of only one other piece with this mark, I don't think it is in any of the books.
I really like the way they spelled it out. Oh the other mark is a glove.