DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF THE ASSAY OFFICES, FROM THEIR ORIGINS IN 1200 UNTIL THE PRESENT DAY
With over a century of history, the precious metal assay and marking service is performed by accredited laboratories and specialised marking technicians, who apply the assay office marks and sponsor’s mark.
- 1200
- 1400
- 1500
- 1600
- 1800
- 1900
- 2000
13th CENTURY
1248-1279 Reign of King Afonso III
Gold fineness was set at 9 dinheiros (18 carats or 750 parts per thousand), and silver fineness at 11 dinheiros (917 parts per thousand)
15th CENTURY
1446
The reign of King Afonso V saw the liberalisation of metals prices, established in the Afonsine Orders of 1446.
1460
Silversmiths were set up in the city of Lisbon, with a hallmark of a ship with crows;
Orders of 1460Legal fineness was redefined to 18 carats for gold and 11 dinheiros for silver.
16th CENTURY
1502-1557 Reign of King João III
Gold fineness was increased to 24 carats (999 parts per thousand)
17th CENTURY
1689
Lisbon Senate Chamber Statute, of 13 JulyThe metal assay function passed to local government officers, who marked pieces with stylised letter L for the Municipality of Lisbon
1691
Municipal Assay OfficesThe Lisbon Senate Chamber Statute, of 13 July, was extended to the entire kingdom
19th CENTURY
1881
The standardisation of hallmarks for the whole country was decreed during the reign of King Luis.1882
Municipal assay offices were closed on 27 July 1882Creation of the Lisbon and Porto Assay Departments, under the remit of the Mint and Stamped Paper Office
1886
The Braga Assay Department was created.20th CENTURY
1911
The Braga Assay Department was closed.1913
Creation of the Gondomar Assay Department.1932
The three assay departments were re-dimensioned by the 1932 Assay Office Regulation (Decree 20740, of 11 January).1938
The designation of “Department” was removed from the Assay Offices on 8 August 1938, by Decree-Law no. 289021972
The Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals was signed in Vienna.It was approved for ratification by Decree No. 56/82, of 29 April
1979
Entry into force of the Assay Office Regulation: Decree-Law no. 391/79, of 20 September1985
New series of official punches is introduced
1986
The INCM Assay Office Departmentwas created, including the Lisbon and Porto Assay Offices and the Gondomar Branch
1998
Withdrawal of white gold and jewellery punches. Introduction of new finenesses. Provisions allowing for the recognition of European Economic Area assay offices
21st CENTURY
2015
Approval of the Legal Regime for Goldsmiths and Assay Offices (RJOC)Law no. 98/2015, of 18 August
2017
First amendment to the RJOCDecree no. 120/2017, of 15 September
