The "Lion Passant" Mystery: Standard of Excellence
#10 Quick Navigation:
- The Fast Answer
- Hallmark Comparison Guide
- The Core Narrative: The Lion's Tale
- Identifying Rare Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Fast Answer
The Lion Passant hallmark is the official British symbol indicating that an item is solid sterling silver, composed of 92.5% pure silver. Introduced in 1544, it acts as a legal guarantee of metal purity, helping collectors distinguish high-value sterling from silver plated items, which often use deceptive marks to mimic this prestigious standard.
Melt-Value Guardrail: Beware of "pseudo-marks." If you see a lion-like symbol accompanied by "EPNS" (Electroplated Nickel Silver), you are holding a silver plated object. These items consist of a thin silver layer over base metal and do not have a silver melt value.
The Lane We’re In
This deep dive takes our hallmark identification series one step further by focusing on the most important purity mark in history. Mastering the lion is essential for anyone serious about antique silver investing or collecting.
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The Evolution of the Lion Hallmark
| Era/Region | Mark Style | Metal Composition | Rarity / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1544–1821 | Passant Guardant | 92.5% Sterling | Head faces the viewer (Full face). |
| Post-1821 | Passant | 92.5% Sterling | Head faces profile (Left). |
| 1697–1720 | Britannia | 95.8% High-Purity | Lion replaced by a seated figure. |
| Provincial | Variable Lions | 92.5% Sterling | Unique styles (e.g., Newcastle, York). |
The Core Narrative: A King’s Desperation and the Lion’s Birth
The Lion Passant didn’t come about because some jeweler wanted a pretty logo. It was born out of a massive financial crisis known as the "Great Debasement." In 1544, King Henry VIII was broke from fighting wars and decided to "stretch" the royal currency by mixing silver coins with cheap copper. As the money in people's pockets became worthless, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths realized they had to protect the reputation of solid silver goods (then called "wrought plate").
They introduced the Lion Passant as a "Standard Mark" to prove that while the King’s coins might be junk, the silver spoon or bowl on your table was still the real deal—guaranteed 92.5% pure sterling. This distinction is critical today: back then, "plate" meant solid silver. Today, "plate" almost always refers to silver plated base metal. If you get those two confused at an auction, you're going to have a very bad day.
As a bench silversmith, I always tell my apprentices to look at the "strike." A genuine Lion Passant is struck with a steel punch into cold metal, creating a sharp, crisp displacement of the silver. Many silver plated pieces from the late 19th century use "pseudo-marks"—symbols that look like lions but are actually cast into the mold or chemically etched. They look "mushy" under a loupe. If the lion looks like he’s melting into the metal rather than standing on top of it, keep your wallet closed.
There’s also a specific historical nuance regarding the lion's posture. From 1544 until 1821, the lion was "guardant," meaning his head was turned to look directly at the viewer. After 1821, he turned his head forward to face the direction he was walking. This tiny shift in "bench expertise" allows me to date a piece of sterling to within a few decades before I even look at the date letter. It’s these small details that separate the pickers from the pros.
Tactical Guide: Spotting the "Lying Lion"
- Check for "Bleeding": On a silver plated item, the heavy wear on the "high points" of a mark will often reveal a yellowish or reddish base metal underneath the silver skin.
- The Full Set: A lone lion is a red flag. Genuine British sterling requires a "set" of marks: the Lion Passant, the Town Mark (like the London Leopard), a Date Letter, and the Maker's Mark.
- Verify the Frame: The shape of the shield (the border around the lion) changes with the date. If the lion's style doesn't match the shield shape for that era, you’re looking at a fake.
- Weight Test: Sterling is significantly denser than the pewter or white metal often used in silver plated counterfeits. If it feels "light for its size," be suspicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "silver plate" the same as "silver plated"?
In modern terms, yes. Both refer to a base metal coated in a thin layer of silver. However, in historical texts, "silver plate" often referred to solid silver vessels. For safety, always assume "plate" means silver plated unless you see the Lion Passant.
Why is my Lion Passant looking to the right?
You might be looking at a piece of Scottish silver (where the lion rampant or thistle is used) or a foreign mark. A standard British Lion Passant always walks to the left.
What does it mean if the lion is missing?
If the piece is British and lacks the lion, it is either silver plated, a modern "white metal" alloy, or it was made during the Britannia Standard period (1697–1720) when the lion was temporarily replaced by a seated woman figure.
Parting Words
The Lion Passant has been the gatekeeper of silver quality for nearly 500 years. If you learn to read his posture and the crispness of the strike, you’ll never get fooled by a silver plated imposter again. Use your loupe, trust the history, and if the cat looks suspicious, walk away. We're done with hallmarks for now—next time, we're getting into the grit of the repair bench.