Diamond Registration Marks

Diamond registration marks were used from 1842 until 1883. During that time it took two different formats and these can easily be used to date the registration of the design. It is important to know that this may not be the date that the item was manufactured although it isn’t usually too far off.

Below are some examples of the diamond registration marks used on British antiques and a list of date letters and months for you to identify. Some exceptions were made but overall these are an ideal way of identifying the marks.

Diamond registration marked used between 1842 to 1867

This diamond registration mark was found on a Minton ceramic ware. The Roman numerals at the top, IV, signify that the item is ceramic. The “z” which is underneath signifies the year 1860. Please see below for the complete list of year letters. The “H” stands for the month of April, the 12 is the day and the 4 represents the parcel number. Rd stands for the word Registered.

Diamond registration mark used between 1868 to 1883

In 1868 the registration mark changed slightly. The upper Roman numeral stayed the same eg IV for ceramics but the day moved to the spot underneath the classification and the year moved to the right. In the example on the left the I stands for the year 1872. The E stands for the month of May and the parcel number is on the left.

Month Date Letters for 1842 – 1867

A	December	H	April
B	October	I	July
C	January	K	November
D	September	M	June
E	May	R	August
G	February	W	March

Year Letters for 1842 – 1867

A	1845	J	1854	S	1849
B	1858	K	1857	T	1867
C	1844	L	1856	U	1848
D	1852	M	1859	V	1850
E	1855	N	1864	W	1865
F	1847	O	1862	X	1842
G	1863	P	1851	Y	1853
H	1843	Q	1866	Z	1860
I	1846	R	1861

Month Letters 1868 – 1883

A	December	H	April
B	October	I	July
C	January	K	November
D	September	M	June
E	May	R	August
G	February	W	March

Year Letters 1868 – 1883

A	1871	L	1882
C	1870	P	1877
D	1878	S	1875
E	1881	U	1874
F	1873	V	1876
H	1869	X	1868
I	1872	Y	1879
J	1880
K	1883