In this alphabet the peculiarities are the letters C (1660) and E (1662), which are only distinguishable from each other by the cross-bar to the letter E. The letter G is an exceptional form (1664), and is shown on the opposite page. O (1671) is also an unusual form. Letters T (1676) and L (1668) are somewhat similar in form, and may easily be mistaken for each other in worn examples.
The letter H (1665) is illustrated as the mark on a wine-cup (page 129).
In the year 1679 an oblong shield was used for the lion, as shown on page 357. This mark is taken from the Sumner Salt in the Mercers’ Company Hall, illustrated page 155. The letter E is found on a Snuffers and Tray, illustrated page 231, and the letter F on a Porringer (1683), illustrated page 205. The letter H (1685) is shown on the opposite page.
In regard to this alphabet great changes were in the air (see Higher Standard Mark, pages 49-59), and this alphabet comes to an end with the letter t, and no later date letter than t was employed. But from March to May in 1697 the letter a of the Court Hand alphabet was used, and from May 1697 to May 1698 the Court Hand letter b was used (see succeeding alphabet).
This is the only occasion when the London Assay Office departed from the regular employment of twenty letters, from A to U, excluding the letter J.
[Illustration: 1660 CUP (illustrated p. 75).]
Other Marks illustrated are =1665= (p. 129), =1669= (p. 197), =1682= (p. 231), =1683= (p. 205).
WILLIAM III (1697-1702), QUEEN ANNE (1702-1714)
During this period there were some important Acts of Parliament which relate to Silver Plate and determine certain changes which are interesting to collectors.
In 1696-7, by 8 and 9 William III, _cap._ 8, the standard of silver plate was raised higher than that of the coinage, to stop the practice of melting down the coin of the realm and converting it into plate. From the 25th of March, 1697, the new standard became compulsory, and any silver plate made less than .959, that is, 959 parts of pure silver in every thousand, was illegal. The marks of the maker were to be the first two letters of his _surname_, and the lion passant and the leopard’s head were to be discontinued. The new standard silver was to be stamped with the figure of Britannia in place of the former mark, and the lion’s head erased in place of the latter.