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Dublin Assay Office: hallmarks, history, and town mark

Oldest active assay office on the island of Ireland. The Hibernia figure was added in 1731 as a duty-paid mark and retained as a secondary office mark.

Published May 30, 2026

Quick facts

Operator
The Assay Office Dublin
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Founded
1637
Status
Active
Town mark
Crowned harp (Hibernia figure added in 1731 as duty mark, retained as office mark)

About the Dublin Assay Office

Oldest active assay office on the island of Ireland. The Hibernia figure was added in 1731 as a duty-paid mark and retained as a secondary office mark.

The town mark

The Dublin Assay Office strikes a distinctive symbol — Crowned harp (Hibernia figure added in 1731 as duty mark, retained as office mark). This town mark identifies where a piece was assayed, so spotting it on a ring, chain, or piece of silverware tells you which office tested and guaranteed its metal content.

Visit / official record

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2

Official site: https://www.assay.ie/

Sources

* Frequently asked

FAQ

Q. Where is the Dublin Assay Office?
A. It is based in Dublin, Ireland — Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. It is run by The Assay Office Dublin.
Q. Is the Dublin Assay Office still operating?
A. Yes. The Dublin Assay Office, founded in 1637, is still assaying and hallmarking precious metal today.
Q. What hallmark symbol does the Dublin Assay Office use?
A. Its town mark is crowned harp (hibernia figure added in 1731 as duty mark, retained as office mark). That symbol identifies the office where a piece was tested for purity, so you can use it to trace where the item was assayed.

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