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Edinburgh Assay Office: hallmarks, history, and town mark
Scottish assay office, operates under separate Scottish hallmarking tradition (with the lion rampant historically used as standard mark for sterling).
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Operator
- The Edinburgh Assay Office
- Location
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Founded
- 1457
- Status
- Active
- Town mark
- Three-towered castle
About the Edinburgh Assay Office
Scottish assay office, operates under separate Scottish hallmarking tradition (with the lion rampant historically used as standard mark for sterling).
The town mark
The Edinburgh Assay Office strikes a distinctive symbol — Three-towered castle. 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
Goldsmiths' Hall, 24 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RH
Official site: https://www.edinburghassayoffice.co.uk/
Sources
- Edinburgh Assay Office historical records
- Wikidata Q5337797
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Where is the Edinburgh Assay Office?
- A. It is based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom — Goldsmiths' Hall, 24 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RH. It is run by The Edinburgh Assay Office.
- Q. Is the Edinburgh Assay Office still operating?
- A. Yes. The Edinburgh Assay Office, founded in 1457, is still assaying and hallmarking precious metal today.
- Q. What hallmark symbol does the Edinburgh Assay Office use?
- A. Its town mark is three-towered castle. 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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