George Iii Silver Hallmark

[mikeymonkey]

Does anyone know why George III's head faces to the left in 1785 and 1786 then reverses to the right? Perhaps the first two years were a mistake!

[Buenchico]

It appears that it might have been an error made by the die sinker, who had engraved the punch with the image as it was meant to be seen, rather than in reverse (as would have been necessary for it to appear the 'right way round' on an item which had then been punched with the duty mark).

That theory is supported by the fact that, as well as being 'back to front', the early duty mark has the monarch's head sunken into the duty mark, rather than standing proud in cameo (as would almost certainly been intended and as was always the case thereafter).

http://www.ascasonline.org/articologenna142.html

[mikeymonkey]

Again, Buenchico, many thanks. Amazing no-one noticed it for two years! Rather like a postage stamp error but not so valuable.