BRITANNIA SILVER Meaning and
Definition
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Britannia silver is a term used to describe a specific grade of silver commonly used in British silverware production. It refers to a silver alloy that contains 95.84% pure silver, with the remaining percentage (4.16%) consisting of copper or other metals. This grade of silver was introduced in Britain by the Britannia Company in 1697 to compete with the Dutch-made silver that dominated the market at the time.
In terms of quality, Britannia silver is purer than sterling silver, which contains 92.5% pure silver. The higher silver content gives Britannia silver a brighter and whiter appearance, often considered more desirable. Due to its higher purity, this silver alloy is also slightly softer and more malleable, making it easier for silversmiths to create intricate and detailed designs.
To identify Britannia silver items, they are usually marked with special hallmarks, including a figure of Britannia, a lion's head, and a date letter. These hallmarks guarantee the authenticity and quality of the silver, ensuring that the piece meets the required standard.
Despite being introduced in the late 17th century, Britannia silver remained in use until 1720, when the standard was changed back to sterling silver due to economic pressures. However, Britannia silver continued to be produced in smaller quantities throughout history and is still occasionally used by contemporary silversmiths for special pieces or limited editions.
Common Misspellings for BRITANNIA SILVER
- vritannia silver
- nritannia silver
- hritannia silver
- gritannia silver
- beitannia silver
- bditannia silver
- bfitannia silver
- btitannia silver
- b5itannia silver
- b4itannia silver
- brutannia silver
- brjtannia silver
- brktannia silver
- brotannia silver
- br9tannia silver
- br8tannia silver
- brirannia silver
- brifannia silver
- brigannia silver
- briyannia silver
Etymology of BRITANNIA SILVER
The term "Britannia silver" derives from the Latin name for Britain, "Britannia". The phrase was coined to describe a higher standard of silver purity introduced in Britain in the late 17th century. Prior to this, English silver had a lower purity level known as Sterling silver. However, with the passage of the Hallmarking Act in 1697, Britannia silver was introduced as a purer standard. The legislation required the use of a new hallmark, the figure of Britannia, to indicate the higher silver content. Consequently, the term "Britannia silver" came to refer to this specific standard of silver in Britain.
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