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H·A hallmark, date uncertain
by: T.N.

Reading everyone's comments was very informative!

I have a gold ring hallmarked with: [H·A] [crown] [22] [sideways anchor] [A]

To me, the date letter, which is a capital A within a rectangle, most closely resembles the 1849 example on the Birmingham Assay Office's website.

This confused me, as Henry Hyde Aston's mark has not been seen on any items prior to 1856.

Anyone have any leads as to what might be the correct year or maker?

Thanks!
T.N.

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Advice
by: Colette

Hi I’m looking to find out what 585 stamp on my late grandmas wedding ring means. I can see an image of what I can only describe as a woman’s head she looks like she’s wearing a hat but I’m no expert so could be something else

Thanks in advance
Wedding ring hallmark H.A

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A thank you and 9 stamp question:
by: Anna

Was delighted to find my 9ct ring with the sideways anchor from Birmingham with an R stamp is really from 1867 and not 1941 as described when purchased. So beautiful. Appreciate very much someone's description of the brothers and dates which confirm was made by Charles Hyde Aston. I do have a number 9 in front of my 375 stamp. Any ideas? Thank you!

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Wedding Ring H.A
by: Anonymous

I have my step grandma’s ring which has the maker’s initials H A separated by a dot, 22k, sideways anchor and a capital D.
Do the year letters follow those of silver? If so the year would be 1928 which fits the family chronology as my grandfather remarried in 1929.

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Ring past along from Grandfather
by: Anonymous

I have a gold ring that my father gave me who received it from his father who died in 1996 at age 98. It has the (H-A) (crown) (18) (sideways anchor) and (C) with notched corners. Any idea what year this could be. It’s just a plain wide band wedding ring. Thanks

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H.A
by: Poppet

Hi. I also have a ring stamped H.A (dot in centre)
Birmingham, 22K,anchor on side. It has a small n in a square with corners cut off which seems to suggest it is modern but I know that it is not. Can anyone date this for me. Thanks

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Hallmark found
by: Bradwell77

Further to my post earlier, now worked out that my wife's inherited wedding band is hallmarked 1908. That is the year of her grandmother's marriage - so bought new, and of special value. Also explains the crispness of the marks.

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H-A gold hallmark
by: Bradwell77

My wife's wedding ring was inherited from her grandmother who married in 1908 in Aston, Birmingham.

Some of her family were jewellery workers in the city.

The wedding ring bears the hallmark H-A, crown, obscured quality mark (the ring was enlarged when we married), anchor, i in an upright oblong box cropped on each corner. I beileve this would put it as the gold work of Charles Hyde Aston of 1858 using his brother's hallmark.

Other than the quality merk the hallmark are as fresh as the day of assaying!

The ring may have been a family heirloom - most of my wife's family were gunsmiths and jewellery workers in Birmingham during the 1800s. Her 6xGreatGrandfather was silversmith John Taylor (Taylor and Perry) of New Hall Street in the 1830-40s.

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Recently purchased rose gold H.A hallmarked ring.
by: Jenny

I have purchased this ring online. This is such a stunning rose gold ladies band with engraved detail. It has H.A hallmark. The ring looks quite old as the other hallmarks have partially worn away so I am unable to confirm if its 375 (9ct) or 585 (14ct)? Another mark on the end looks like a old english letter or head silhouette shape? Would love if someone could confirm the actual age of this ring.
This is really interesting as it seems more people than I thought are stumped by these markings.

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Some clarification of the
by: Anonymous

For clarity the Atkin brothers of Sheffield used "H.A" with the dot in the full stop position... This is a distinct and separate mark from the Birmingham Aston family.

Whereas Henry and Charles Hyde Aston used the dot as a "hyphen" (it was not a hyphenated name, just their Mother's maiden name as their middle name. So it appeared as "H-A" but with a centered dot.

"H-A" (centre dot) was originally the mark of the Birmingham silversmith Henry Hyde Aston (1837-1869), who registered his mark in 1862 and continued the Silversmith business of his Father Thomas Aston (1802-1882) and half brother William Aston (1826-1881) who were jointly registered as silversmiths and "jewellers" in Birmingham from 1852 until 1862 as "A&S" for Aston and Son... The business was officially wound up in 1870 following Henry's death in 1869:

Entry in The London Gazette of 19 July 1870
This is to give notice that the Partnership hereto carried on by and between the undersigned Thomas Aston, William Aston and Charles Hyde Aston as Jewellers at Regent Place, Birmingham in the County of Warwick, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent. The business of the late firm will be henceforth be carried on by the said Thomas Aston and William Aston in copartnership as Jewellers. Dated this 24th day of June 1870.
Thomas Aston
William Aston
Charles Hyde Aston

Both Thomas and William and Henry had there businesses registered at 12 Regent Place, Birmingham.

Henry's Brother Charles Hyde Aston (1836-1875) was a Gold Wedding band manufacturer and used the same "H-A" (centered dot) makers mark of his Brother Henry.

Charles Hyde Aston died in 1875 and his Son charles Henry (1869-1916) took over the wedding band business (continuing the "H-A" with is centered dot hallmark) and I have since also discovered that Charles Henry "branched out" and also created electro plated silver items as well - In this endeavour he used the "A&S" mark of his grand-father and uncle (Thomas and William) on these items...

Upon Charles Henry's death in 1916, the business appears to have ceased as there were no remaining male heirs, etc.

So it is all a little confusing, but there is a chronological order to the use of each of the marks.

But my research continues...

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Mother's ring, 1938
by: Marj

My parents married in 1938, and I have her ring. It's Hallmark is H.A crown 22 sideways anchor and then what looks like a seven, ???J. Were 7s ever used? Really interesting thread.

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H dot A ring, 22kt, believe 1850
by: Jared Kendall

David,

I think I may have just bought a ring made by Charles Hyde Aston. It has the H (dot) A maker's mark, and the year is letter B, with notches on all four corners.

The ring is absolutely gorgeous, and looks brand new. When I bought it, I was told it had sat on a shelf for 90 years, and that it was truly unused. I don't know if it was unused or not, but I do believe it may have well sat on a shelf for that long, if not longer.

I intend to marry my fiance with this ring, and am ecstatic at having found it (I wanted some history, she wanted shiny and new, somehow I lucked out and found both).

I would love to know more about its past. Not sure how to contact people here, but my middle name is "West", and I have a website for blogging and whatnot. It's my full name, with my middle initial, all run together. Er, and I hope that suggesting ways to be contacted isn't against any board rules.

I cannot begin to imagine the 160 year journey this ring has taken to arrive on my bride's finger, from 12 Regent Place in Birmhingham, all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Correction to below
by: Anonymous

The Sideways Anchor means it would be Birmingham not Sheffield and The crown would just represent that it was Gold

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SIDE WAYS ANCHOR
by: Peter

Hi not sure if this will help but I found an 18 carat gold wedding ring with a Sheffield crown and a side ways anchor and the date letter is T 1861.

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E.S Birmingham
by: Anonymous

Try Edward Sawyer (Birmingham, UK) - ca 1770s.

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22 carat Wedding ring
by: Clarecp

I am investigating a ring found in my Nan's belongings, it's not hers and we are unsure who it belonged to but from another site I have checked I believe it could be quite old it is stamped ES& Co then follows a Crown, 22, side anchor, and Y, from what I can see on other sites it states this ring was hallmarked in 1796, Can anyone give me any other information to confirm this please.
Regards
Clare

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A&S
by: Anonymous

I have a gold black onyx ring with the markings of a crown, 18, anchor, and the letter b. Can anyone give me any history on it. Tks

Reply:

A series of UK hallmarks -

Crown followed by 18 is the UK hallmark on 18k Gold - ca 1798 - 1974

You might like to read Hallmarking in Great Britain which is a general guide to British Hallmarks - For more info on the other UK marks.
Cheers Pete
ANTIQUE JEWELRY INVESTOR SUPPORT TEAM

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Henry Hyde Aston
by: David Babb-Farrell

I am coming into this conversation on the basis of having researched Henry Hyde Aston as a 2xgreat uncle for my family tree!

"H (centre dot) A" is the mark of Henry Hyde Aston (1837-1869), who registered his mark in 1862 and continued the Silversmith business of his Father Thomas Aston (1802-1882) and half brother William Aston (1826-1881) who were jointly registered (1852-1862) as "AS" for Aston and Son... Each business was registered at 12 Regent Place, Birmingham.

Henry's brother Charles Hyde Aston (1835-1876) was a Wedding ring manufacturer... and I suspect (no proof found) that Charles also used the "H (centre dot) A" as his mark also... Which would indicate the "H" was for Hyde, not Henry!

Upon Charles' death, he was succeeded by his son Charles Henry Aston (1869-1916), who was also a wedding ring manufacturer

This is my first posting here and the first and only "history" of the Astons I have seen on-line... I hope to continue my research on this branch of my family and its links to my Harrison Jewelry family and other silversmiths and notaries in Birmingham... My intention being to create a website to represent the family and Silversmith that I discover...

Any notes or questions - Please contact me.

David Babb-Farrell

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H.A query
by: jan

Hi Jenny and David (whose ring was in the family before 1900),
I've come across in researching my ring both the Atkin Bros and Henry Aston from this link

http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-H.html

Henry Aston was apparently first registered in 1862 (according to the website). He doesn't appear on the Birmingham assay office list, but there is an add in Bristol on the web for him in Birmingham in 1863. (my ring would have to be 1855 though?) This could possibly be davids' ring H.A ?

His makers mark does have a dot in the middle of the letters aligned.

the one I found of the Atkin Bros had the dot in the H.A aligned to the bottom of the letters
http://www.silvercollection.it/ENGLAATKIN.html

Does anyone know if the alignment of the dot varied? (centre or bottom and if this is significant in a gold hallmark?)

I realise both are down as silversmiths, but Henry aston was down as gold rings.

I posted today about whether my ring is 1855 or 1931 and H.A

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sidways anchor and O at end
by: Anonymous

Hi, I just purchased a 22 ct wedding ring on eBay.
IOt has the H . A as makers marks
It is deifintely 22ct, it is deifnitely assyed in Birmingham (anchor).
NB.. my anchor is also sideways. the left side is the bottom of the anchor. This fits in with this (expert? ) reference site..which has the anchor as sideways.
http://www.gold-traders.co.uk/hallmarks/

I have a G at the end which is 1931 , but its very difficlt to tell from another G as well. the seller is an antiques dealer and he says 1931, and after a LOT of looking under a 30*12 loupe, I have to agree.
I also think that that funny O at the end of this ring discussed is IDENTICAL to my G..ie your ring may be Birmingham 1931

have a look at this site (which is what I'm going by as well as the sellers knowledge?)
In my ring I don't know about the crown? (my ring looks like a head?)..see below pics while still listed, so I'm hoping its OK.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330652288091

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need help to
by: smokey

i have a gold wedding ring with H.A a crown with 22 next to it a sideways anchor and the letter E any help would be great thanks

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H.A. wedding ring
by: Karen

Hi there. I too have my grandmother's gold wedding band with the makers mark H.A. It was assayed in birmingham and my anchor is sideways too. My ring is 22 karat and it's date of manufacture is 1919, which makes sense given my grandparents were married around 1920. You do have to be careful about the shape of the box surrounding your date letter.

Mine is a "u" and there was another "u" very similar for 1808 but the box had a pointy bit at the bottom and mine had a bit of a swoop and point.

My grandfather was from Cheshire/Staffordshire border I wonder if then the maker was from nearby? Any more info about H.A would be greatly appreciated! I agree it was great fun getting out the magnifying glass, identifying the marks and researching them online!

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wartime wedding ring
by: Anonymous

The shape of the background on the date letter will help you discriminate between similar letter fonts when you are referring to the Birmingham identification table.

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Wedding Ring Hallmark
by: Anonymous

Fab Yvonne! Did anyone take a look at the link I included in the last message? It has a photo of this "0" mark you talked about David. (Or was it Jenny??) (Along with it's explanation as a utility mark during the war, which should help you date it)

I'd be very ineterested to hear if it's the same as the one on your ring! God I love finding out stuff!! It's so exciting!

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Sideways Anchor Marks
by: Anonymous

Hi David & Jenny sideways anchor marks seem to be a mystery to valuers and experts alike! Even targeted British hallmarks info sites omit this very important piece of info. It is so hard to find conclusive evidence of sideways anchor commencement date.

David this antique ring has been in the family since the late 1800s, so the 1979 date is not accurate. Either lack of space necessitated the sideways punch mark, which Porcha makes mention of, and which my research indicates did actually happen on occasion OR the sideways gold anchor mark was used BEFORE 1979.

The maker's mark on this antique card case is C.C - Colen Hewer Cheshire (on Silver, Chester & Birmingham, UK) - ca 1860s - 1910s

Notice in the above photo:

1. there's plenty of room to get the punch in the north to south position.

2. the color of the metal under the silver.
I doubt very much that C.C used a brassy base metal. Also doubt it's a forgery. If my findings are correct this would indicate that sideways anchors have been used on gold a long time before 1979.

best regards

Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre
Stay up to date with all the latest Antique jewelry news,
join the Antique Jewelry Investor community here....

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19049&highlight=anchor+side

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wedding ring hallmark
by: Portia

Hi David
I think anyone can set themselves up as an "expert"!!
Have a look about half way down this web page:

http://www.thomas-skipton.co.uk/Hallmarks.htm

I also got alot of info from Birmingham Assay Office's website.
You could always email them directly and ask them when they first started using the sideways anchor. (If it is a question of when, rather than why, that is) I assumed it was more to do with the narrowness of the band, because an upright anchor wouldn't fit!! But maybe that is a bit too simple.
Would be interested to hear how you get on!
Kind regards
Portia

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inspired
by: David

Hi, thanks for taking the time to respond to my posting of November 09. I must admit to becoming rather despondent after getting a valuation at a local Jewelry store which said that because the anchor was on it's side it showed that the ring was first made in 1979 ! I know for a fact that this ring has been in my wife's family since late 1800's. The valuer suggested that this ring may have been a replacement for the original which may have been lost / stolen / sold prior to 1979 ? I am now inspired to continue with investigating the truth about this rings provenance. Thanks again,
David.

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Sheffield Maker Assayed in Birmingham
by: Anonymous

Not strange really - the Sheffield maker's mark - H.A (Atkin Brothers- Henry Atkin) assayed in Birmingham in 1943 when you consider that the worst nights of German Luftwaffe bombing in Sheffield, England during the Second World War.

It took place over the nights of 12 December and 15 December 1940. In total over 660 people were killed, 1,500 injured and 40,000 made homeless. 3,000 homes were demolished with a further 3,000 badly damaged. A total of 78,000 homes received damage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Blitz

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WARTIME WEDDING RING?
by: PORTIA

Hi Jenny & David
The ring I'm researching sounds identical too. Apart from the strange "O" mark you describe Jenny. But I think I know what that is. I think it's a "utility mark" unique to wedding rings assayed during the war. They had a specific rationed weight I think of 2.1grammes or something.

My date letter is an M too David, but I can't figure out which one it is from the Birmingham Assay Office website. (Could be 1861 or 1930!)

So far the only "H.A" I've come across that's registered at the Birmingham Assay Office was Henry Adcock who registered his maker's mark in 1808, but that's as far as I've got so far. But thought it may be of interest!
Kind regards
Portia

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Grandparents ring H A Maker ?
by: David

Hi Jenny, I am also researching grand parents' wedding rings.
My ring seems identicle to yours except it has an, M denoting
it's year ofamufacture. ( 1911 / 1912 ?) I would like to ask if you have discovered the identity of the maker, H A ? many thanks in anticipation. David.

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