Hallmark
A hallmark is a mark struck on an item to indicate its fineness or maker. French gold hallmarks: eagle's head = 750 ‰ (18 ct), scallop shell = 585 ‰ (14 ct), clover = 375 ‰ (9 ct), seahorse = 999 ‰, owl = gold of foreign or uncertain origin. Silver: Minerva 1st standard = 925 ‰, 2nd standard = 800 ‰, swan = imported silver. In Belgium the fineness hallmark is optional; most often the fineness appears as figures (750, 585, 375, 925, 800) in a cartouche. A hallmark can be missing, worn or counterfeit: the assay in the agency is what counts.