Goodbye Z, Hello A

With a new year comes a new date letter. Goodbye ‘z’, and hello ‘A’, marking the start of 2025 and a fresh serif alphabet cycle.

A TRADITION OF MARKING TIME

Since 1996, our date stamps have been produced in-house in our tool room. These marks serve as chronological identifiers, denoting the year an item was hallmarked. Whilst using a date letter is no longer a legal requirement, it remains a valued tradition for many in the industry. These hallmarks provide insight into the history and provenance of precious metal items, making them a vital link to their origins.

THE RICH HISTORY OF THE DATE LETTER

The date letter system boasts a long and fascinating history, with each letter corresponding to a specific year. Traditionally, the font, case, and shield shape of the date letter change annually, creating a unique hallmark for every year.

Certain letters, such as ‘i’, ‘j’, or ‘l’, are often omitted to avoid confusion. This results in a 25-year cycle rather than 26. For instance, in 2008, the letter ‘i’ was skipped in favour of ‘j’, and ‘l’ was used in 2010.

DID YOU KNOW?

Before 1975, Birmingham’s date letter changed each July. However, following the Hallmarking Act of 1973, all UK Assay Offices adopted a standardised system. The date letter now changes annually on 1st January, a practice that continues to this day.

UNDERSTANDING HALLMARKS

Understanding what a hallmark means can deepen your appreciation for precious metal items, revealing their unique stories and the craftsmanship behind them.

To learn more about hallmarks and what they signify, visit our comprehensive guide: Understanding Hallmarks and Your Jewellery

LEARN MORE ABOUT DATE LETTERS

Curious about the history and details of date letters? Explore our Date Letters Resource, which includes everything you need to know about date letters past and present.