Sheffield Assay Office

In 1773, Sheffield's silversmiths joined with those of Birmingham to petition Parliament for the establishment of assay offices in their respective cities.

3. c. 52), was passed in March, just one month after the original petition was presented to Parliament, to allow Birmingham and Sheffield the right to assay silver.

From 1784, Sheffield was empowered to keep a register of all maker's marks within one hundred miles, including those of Birmingham.

In May 2007 it was announced that the office would move to a new purpose-built site on Beulah Road in Owlerton, where is it now based.

[1] In 1977, Sheffield's mark was changed to the White Rose of York, and it became the last office to standardise its date letters.