Birmingham Assay Office

The Birmingham Assay Office, established in 1773, is one of the four assay offices in the UK, located in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham. It was created to support the burgeoning silver industry by providing local hallmarking services, overcoming the challenges posed by distant assay offices in Chester and London. The office is renowned for its hallmark symbol, the Anchor, which was chosen in a coin toss against Sheffield's Crown. Over the years, it has evolved into the largest assay office in Europe, moving to its modern facility in 2015, which features a private museum and showcases hallmarking symbols that reflect its rich history. Visitors can explore its services, including hallmarking and gem certification, making it a significant site for both tourists and researchers interested in the history of silver and jewelry craftsmanship.