Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks
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Town Marks of France ~ Before 1789 I
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Valois Arms
French Town & City Marks
before 1789
Hallmarking in France began as early as the mid-thirteenth century. Initially only with a town or 'maison commune' mark. The individual maker's mark began its appearance in 14th century Paris and spread to the outlying areas. In 1460, a royal edict called for the use of the variable date letter with crowned top. The 'countermark', the first official type of standard guarantee mark used by French assay masters, was decreed in 1543. In 1672 appeared the 'charge' and 'discharge' marks, both essentially duty marks, but the first also functioned as a further standard guarantee.
Various combinations of the above marks were used at various times and in different areas. Below are illustrated most of the town marks of France listed with the city having jurisdiction over them.
Bourbon Arms

French  Town  Marks  Menu
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Town Mark Community Year Commenced Jurisdiction
Abbeville Town Hallmark Abbeville 1508 Amiens
Agen Town Hallmark Agen 1775 Bordeaux
Aix Town Hallmark Aix - Aix
Alais Town Hallmark Alais 1775 Montpelier
Alencon Town Hallmark Alençon 1718 Caen
Amiens Town Hallmark Amiens & Montdidier 1727 Amiens
Angers Town Hallmark Angers - Angers
Angouleme Town Hallmark Angoulème 1719 Limoges
Apt Town Hallmark Apt - Aix
Arles Town Hallmark Arles - Aix
Arras Town Hallmark Arras 15?? Lille
Avalon Town Hallmark Avalon 1743 Dijon
Avesnes Town Hallmark Avesnes 1773 Lille
Aurillac Town Hallmark Aurillac - Riom
Autun Town Hallmark Autun 1784 Dijon
Auxerre Town Hallmark Auxerre 1731 Paris
Bailleul Town Hallmark Bailleul 1731 Lille
Bar le Duc Town Hallmark Bar le Duc - Nancy
Bar sur Aube Town Hallmark Bar sur Aube 1763 Troyes
Bayonne Town Hallmark Bayonne 1512 Bayonne
Beaucaire Town Hallmark Beaucaire 1776 Montpellier
Beaune Town Hallmark Beaune 1742 Dijon
Beauvais Town Hallmark Beauvais 1609 Paris
Bergues St. Vinox Town Hallmark Bergues St. Vinox 1759 Lille
Besancon Town Hallmark Besançon 1688 Besançon
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French  Town  Marks  Menu
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A•B          B•C          C•L          L•M          M•Q          R•T          T•V
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Related Pages at 925-1000.com:
French Hallmarks
World Hallmarks
British Hallmarks Explained
Dutch Hallmarks
German Hallmarks
Austrian Hallmarks
Swedish Hallmarks
Finnish Hallmarks
Norwegian Makers
David-Andersen Marks
Georg Jensen Marks
Mexican Silver Marks
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