Expert: Martin G Roberts - 3/6/2009

Question
We purchased in England in the mid-1980's in Nailsworth 3 pewter pint mugs.  On them are the following markings:

A crown; underneath VR and underneath that a "C."  Engraved overlapping letterson the "front": A, M, and H

VR with the number 24 underneath; to the right a symbol with GR and 28 under it. To the right of that "Pint."

VR with a crown (I think) in between the letters; underneath the number 21 and underneath that LCC.  to the right:  Pint.  On the "front:  "The Crown Knockholt."

Can you tell us anything about these 3 items including age and potential value?  I don't have pictures but could photograph them, if that would be helpful.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
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Hello Lydia,

The marks with a crowned VR are capacity verifications. Where these are accompanied by numbers, they are Uniform Verification numbers, and date after 1879 - you can read more about these on my website under the appropriate link. For now, note that these do not necessarily relate to place of manufacture, and tell us nothing about the makers. If your pieces have maker's marks, they are probably to be found inside, down in the bottom.

Taking each in turn:

- VR over C may be a capacity verification for Cornwall, but it is likely the mark is incomplete. AMH will be the initials of the publican at the pub where it was used. Engraved initials are usually indicative of a London piece, so I suspect the verification mark is indeed incomplete.

- 24 is a UV number for Lanarkshire in Scotland. GR over 28 is a capacity verification for London, and dates to the reign of either George V or George VI (1910-52). That is unlikely to be correct - I suspect the number is 25 or 26, which are also for Lanarkshire, but again early-mid 20th Century. Alternatively, perhaps 24 is a misreading, as other close by UV numbers (e.g. 21, 23) were used in London. Imperial pint capacity.

- 21LCC is a UV number mark for London County Council from 1891 or later. Imperial pint capacity. Used at a pub called "The Crown" in Knockholt, which is a small village just outside modern London in Kent. I believe Knockholt was always outwith LCC, so the verification indicates the piece was probably made in London, and used in Kent.

As it seems possible all three are late 19th Century London pieces, it may be that there are no maker's marks, as they often were not marked by London makers at this late period.

Without sight of the pieces I cannot give a valuation, as that will depend to a great extent on details of form and condition. However, I will say that nothing described here strikes me as likely to be scarce or early, so they are probably each worth less than 100 pounds / 200 dollars, and likely quite a lot less.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk