www.925-1000.com

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

:::: 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? ::::::::

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?

:::: 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 :::::::::

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.

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.

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?!

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

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

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.

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.