The Dublin Assay Office was established in 1637 to supervise the assaying
of all gold and silver throughout the whole of Ireland. Originally, hallmarks
consisted of the goldsmiths' proper mark which was the maker's mark originally
used to identify the silversmith or goldsmith responsible for making the article.
The fineness
mark, the harp crown was applied to 22 carat
gold and sterling silver, which was silver of a standard of 925 parts of fine
silver in each 1000.
Dublin Assay Office
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. +353 1 4751286 / 4780323
Fax +353 1 4783838
e-mail assayirl@iol.ie
Web http://homepage.tinet.ie/~jemckenna/stamp.htm