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Hi,

with a lot of help from admin (many thanks admin) I think I may have solved part of my query. I have a set of 6 spoons. They are marked with a pentagram and 916. There is also a separate marking of T30.

I think that they are Spanish but, from what I understand, the 916 mark finished in 1934 and the pentagram didn't start being used until after this??? So I can't understand how both can be on a spoon? As far as the T30 goes I have no idea.

Could somebody please help me with this?

Many thanks

John Evans

In 1934, according to Tardy, .915 became the legal standard (plata de ley). However, hallmarking is generally overseen by beaurocratic bodies and the wheels of beaurocracies grind slow. We come across so many marking anomalies that after a while it becomes clear that whenever a marking change was enacted, regardless of country, there was a grace period (often of some years) for the silver industry to readjust and meet the new criteria. During these transitional periods mixed marks tend to occur.

Regards, Tom

ps. T30, if in a hexagon, would be the maker's mark.

Hi Tom,

once again you have been a great help, I guess I thought that a cut off date was a cut off date. As soon as you mentioned anything about beaurocrats the penny dropped with me..lol. Having dealt with them in ths day and age I can imagine how slowly the changes must have been in days past.

Once again many thanks for your kind help,

John