In the late eighteen century, Poland was divided among several major power in Europe, namely: Russia; Austria; Prussia; Germany. During this period, there were no hallmarking system. Hallmarks were generally adopted from the ruling power or country during these period.
After the WW1, Poland became independent. It is then officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland in the year 1918. However it was only until the year 1920 there was a legislated national system for precious metal hallmarking in Poland. Silver Fineness or simply silver content is marked by a numerical number within the figure hallmark.
- Numerical 1 meaning silver fineness .940 or 94% silver content
- Numberical 2 meaning silver fineness .875 or 87.5% silver content
- Numerical 3 meaning silver fineness .800 or 80% silver content
After 1920
Women head with kerchief, numeral 1=silver fineness .940 or 94% silver content and town letter W=Warsaw silver hallmark. (Please refer to the bottom of this page for Assay Town Mark)
Women head with kerchief, numeral 2=silver fineness .875 or 87.5% silver content and town letter W=Warsaw silver hallmark. (Please refer to the bottom of this page for Assay Town Mark)
Women head with kerchief, numeral 3=silver fineness .800 or 80% silver content and town letter W=Warsaw silver hallmark. (Please refer to the bottom of this page for Assay Town Mark)
After 1931
A different figure was adopted in the year 1931. However the numerical silver fineness remains the same.
- Numerical 1 meaning silver fineness .940 or 94% silver content
- Numberical 2 meaning silver fineness .875 or 87.5% silver content
- Numerical 3 meaning silver fineness .800 or 80% silver content
For local articles: Women head and below numeral 2= (silver fineness .875) and town letter W=Warsaw silver hallmark
Mark for watch cases: Women head and below numeral 3= (silver fineness .800) and town letter W=Warsaw silver hallmark
Mark for lombard silverware: Owl silver hallmark
Export mark: Women head and below letters W and Z silver hallmark
After 1963
Women head on kerchief between town letter K and number 1=silver fineness.916 silver hallmark
Women head on kerchief between town letter K and number 2=silver fineness.875 silver hallmark
Women head on kerchief between town letter K and number 3=silver fineness.800 silver hallmark
Women head on kerchief between town letter K and number 4=silver fineness.750 silver hallmark
Mark for lombard silverware: Owl and letter K below silver hallmark
1986 - Current
Women head on kerchief between town letter W and 925 silver hallmark
Women head on kerchief between town letter K and 875 silver hallmark
Women head on kerchief between town letter P and 830 silver hallmark
Women head on kerchief between town letter G and 800 silver hallmark
Polish Assay Town Mark Abbreviations
- A Bialystok
- B Bydgoszcz
- G Gdansk
- H Chorzów
- K Krakow
- L Lódz
- P Poznan
- V Wrochaw
- W Warsaw
- Z Czestochowa
