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Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark: hallmarks, history, and town mark
Japanese national hallmark system. Optional but prestigious. Operated by the Japan Mint (Independent Administrative Institution). Mark issued after independent assay verification of stamped purity.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Operator
- Japan Mint (造幣局, Zōheikyoku)
- Location
- Osaka, Japan
- Founded
- 1929
- Status
- Active
- Town mark
- Chrysanthemum and balance/scale
About the Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark
Japanese national hallmark system. Optional but prestigious. Operated by the Japan Mint (Independent Administrative Institution). Mark issued after independent assay verification of stamped purity.
The town mark
The Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark strikes a distinctive symbol — Chrysanthemum and balance/scale. 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
Official site: https://www.mint.go.jp/eng/
Sources
- Japan Mint public records
- Wikidata Q1148671
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Where is the Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark?
- A. It is based in Osaka, Japan. It is run by Japan Mint (造幣局, Zōheikyoku).
- Q. Is the Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark still operating?
- A. Yes. The Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark, founded in 1929, is still assaying and hallmarking precious metal today.
- Q. What hallmark symbol does the Japan Mint (Zōheikyoku) Hallmark use?
- A. Its town mark is chrysanthemum and balance/scale. 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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