There has been an Assay Office in Sheffield since 1773, when local silversmiths successfully petitioned Parliament for the right to assay silver.
To ‘assay’ means to test and assess the precious metal content of an item – gold, silver and platinum are soft metals that have to be alloyed with cheaper ones for making jewellery, cutlery and other goods. Hallmarking is the oldest form of consumer protection.
See a talk by Assay Office curator Emma Paragreen here: www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/live-archive
Assay Office website: www.assayoffice.co.uk
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1. Platinum testing
The first instrument for measuring platinum, 1975 (Picture Sheffield ref no S40069) Photo: Picture Sheffield
2. Royal visitor
Prince Philip's visit to Sheffield. At the Assay Office, 1973 (Picture Sheffield ref no S43012) Photo: Picture Sheffield
4. Scientific approach
Chemical processes, Assay Office, 1974 (ref no S40070) Photo: Picture Sheffield