Before modern decimal silver standards (.800, .830, .900, .925) were adopted across German-speaking regions, silversmiths used the traditional “Lot” system, which measured purity in sixteenths. A 13-Lot mark equals 13/16 purity—approximately .812 fine silver. These marks appear on early German, Austrian, Bohemian, and Central European silver and are essential for accurate appraisal, dating, and cultural attribution. Because early Lot-system hallmarks vary by region, workshop, and era—and because fraudulent re-strikes and added numbers are increasingly common—correct interpretation requires structured hallmark forensics.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 275 — The 13-Lot System: Decoding German Silver Fineness Marks provides a complete professional workflow for identifying authentic Lot marks, interpreting city and maker’s punches, converting purity values to modern equivalents, detecting forgeries, and understanding how the Lot system fits into the transition toward decimal hallmarks.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Convert Lot purity into modern decimal fineness values
Identify authentic German, Austrian & Central European Lot-system stamps
Distinguish city marks, guild punches & maker’s marks used with Lot numerals
Evaluate punch depth, numeral style & wear patterns to confirm authenticity
Recognize fraudulent alterations, added digits & modern pseudo-marks
Understand regional differences in Gothic numerals, fractions & “Loth” formats
Separate Lot numbers from unrelated numeric punches (weights, serials, zolotniki, etc.)
Use XRF to verify alloy purity when marks are worn or questionable
Understand the 19th-century shift from Lot purity to .800/.830/.835 decimal marks
Assess valuation factors influenced by purity, regional rarity & cultural context
Volume 275 provides collectors and appraisers with a complete, defensible decoding system for interpreting the historical German Lot standard and accurately evaluating early Continental silver.
Digital Download — PDF • 7 Pages • Instant Access
Before modern decimal silver standards (.800, .830, .900, .925) were adopted across German-speaking regions, silversmiths used the traditional “Lot” system, which measured purity in sixteenths. A 13-Lot mark equals 13/16 purity—approximately .812 fine silver. These marks appear on early German, Austrian, Bohemian, and Central European silver and are essential for accurate appraisal, dating, and cultural attribution. Because early Lot-system hallmarks vary by region, workshop, and era—and because fraudulent re-strikes and added numbers are increasingly common—correct interpretation requires structured hallmark forensics.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 275 — The 13-Lot System: Decoding German Silver Fineness Marks provides a complete professional workflow for identifying authentic Lot marks, interpreting city and maker’s punches, converting purity values to modern equivalents, detecting forgeries, and understanding how the Lot system fits into the transition toward decimal hallmarks.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Convert Lot purity into modern decimal fineness values
Identify authentic German, Austrian & Central European Lot-system stamps
Distinguish city marks, guild punches & maker’s marks used with Lot numerals
Evaluate punch depth, numeral style & wear patterns to confirm authenticity
Recognize fraudulent alterations, added digits & modern pseudo-marks
Understand regional differences in Gothic numerals, fractions & “Loth” formats
Separate Lot numbers from unrelated numeric punches (weights, serials, zolotniki, etc.)
Use XRF to verify alloy purity when marks are worn or questionable
Understand the 19th-century shift from Lot purity to .800/.830/.835 decimal marks
Assess valuation factors influenced by purity, regional rarity & cultural context
Volume 275 provides collectors and appraisers with a complete, defensible decoding system for interpreting the historical German Lot standard and accurately evaluating early Continental silver.
Digital Download — PDF • 7 Pages • Instant Access
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