Austrian silver hallmarks
195 marks in our databaseFrom 1866 Austrian silver carried the head of Diana, with a number for the standard and a letter for the assay office. Earlier pieces carry town marks, often with the year, and a maker's mark.
From 1866 to 1922 Austrian silver carried the head of Diana, with a number for the standard and a letter for the assay office. Older Austrian marks often include the year itself inside the town mark, which makes earlier pieces easier to date than much continental silver.
How to read Austrian marks
- Standard mark
- From 1866 to 1922 the head of Diana marked silver in Austria-Hungary, with a number inside for the standard.
- Office letters
- A letter beside the Diana head shows the assay office that tested the piece.
- Before 1866
- Town marks, such as that of Vienna, were often struck with the year.
- Maker's mark
- The maker's initials in a punch.
A note from our specialists
When an Austrian piece comes in we read three things before anything else: the Diana head and its standard number, the small office letter that names the town of assay, and the maker's initials. On pieces made before 1866, look closely at the town mark for a year struck inside it.
Faustas Svencionis, Mozeris Fine Antiques
We hold 195 Austrian marks for photo matching
Our identifier compares your photo with every Austrian mark we hold, then reads the town, the standard, the date and the maker. Free, with the result on screen and by email.
Records you can browse
Questions
What does the Diana head mean?
It is the silver guarantee mark of Austria-Hungary, used from 1866 to 1922. The number gives the standard and the letter the assay office.
Is Austrian silver dated?
Before 1866 many town marks include the year. After that, the style of the mark and the maker narrow the date.
What does the Diana head mean on Austrian silver?
It is the Austro-Hungarian silver mark used from 1866 to 1922. A number beside it shows the standard and a letter shows the assay office.
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