French Sterling Silver

French sterling silver from the mid-1800's onward can be recognized by hallmarks such as a stamped boar's head, a crab, or in some cases the head of Minerva, plus a number to indicate fineness. After 1838, a diamond shape (lozenge) was required on all French gold, silver, and platinum. French hallmarks can also tell you the origins of the piece (e.g. the boar's head and Minerva often came from the Paris assay office, while the crab mark was used elsewhere in France).