Weight and fineness of the coinage were joined by another element: the authenticity of the stamp, which served to guarantee the other two.
The legal status of the lion symbol will remain unchanged in that it will continue to indicate a specific standard of fineness (sterling) for articles made of silver.
I have to point out that imported silver and platinum will, on the other hand, bear the appropriate millesimal symbols of fineness only.
Therefore, we shall all agree that there is a concern that the consumer should know the fineness.
Several hoards containing gold and silver objects of varying degrees of fineness have been split into parts that have been declared treasure trove, and parts that have not.
Coins reduced in fineness can easily be tested for their fineness.
Nuggets are also referred to by their fineness, for example 865 fine means the nugget is 865 parts per thousand in gold.
I wish to take that one step forward towards fineness from 37 fortieths to 38 fortieths.
