Britannia silver is a specific type of silver alloy used in fine British silverware. The word "Britannia" is spelled /brɪˈtæniə/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "i" in "Britannia" is pronounced as a short "i" sound, like the "i" in "sit." The word "silver" is standardly spelled, /ˈsɪlvər/ with the stress on the first syllable. Britannia silver is known for its high purity, containing 95.84% pure silver, compared to sterling silver which is only 92.5% pure.
Britannia silver is a term used to describe a specific grade of silver commonly used in British silverware production. It refers to a silver alloy that contains 95.84% pure silver, with the remaining percentage (4.16%) consisting of copper or other metals. This grade of silver was introduced in Britain by the Britannia Company in 1697 to compete with the Dutch-made silver that dominated the market at the time.
In terms of quality, Britannia silver is purer than sterling silver, which contains 92.5% pure silver. The higher silver content gives Britannia silver a brighter and whiter appearance, often considered more desirable. Due to its higher purity, this silver alloy is also slightly softer and more malleable, making it easier for silversmiths to create intricate and detailed designs.
To identify Britannia silver items, they are usually marked with special hallmarks, including a figure of Britannia, a lion's head, and a date letter. These hallmarks guarantee the authenticity and quality of the silver, ensuring that the piece meets the required standard.
Despite being introduced in the late 17th century, Britannia silver remained in use until 1720, when the standard was changed back to sterling silver due to economic pressures. However, Britannia silver continued to be produced in smaller quantities throughout history and is still occasionally used by contemporary silversmiths for special pieces or limited editions.
The term "Britannia silver" derives from the Latin name for Britain, "Britannia". The phrase was coined to describe a higher standard of silver purity introduced in Britain in the late 17th century. Prior to this, English silver had a lower purity level known as Sterling silver. However, with the passage of the Hallmarking Act in 1697, Britannia silver was introduced as a purer standard. The legislation required the use of a new hallmark, the figure of Britannia, to indicate the higher silver content. Consequently, the term "Britannia silver" came to refer to this specific standard of silver in Britain.