ˈplate-mark
[f. plate n. + mark n.1]
1. A name for the various marks legally impressed on gold and silver plate for the purpose of indicating maker, degree of purity, hall or place of assay, date, etc.; also called hall-mark.
These consist of (1) the maker's initials or mark; (2) the mark of the particular assay-office; (3) the assay-mark or sovereign's mark; (4) a letter indicating the date. Plate made between 1784 and 1890 also bore (5) the duty-mark, being the head of the reigning sovereign.
| 1858 Simmonds Dict. Trade, Plate marks, special marks..stamped on gold or silver plate. 1883 Chambers's Encycl. VII. 585 There can be no deception, if the public understand the plate-marks. |
2. The impression left on the margin of an engraving by the pressure of the plate.
| 1889 Anthony's Photogr. Bull. II. 62 If a plate mark is wanted it can be easily put on when the mat is partly dry by using the edge of a blunt chisel-shaped piece of hard wood, with a ruler as a guide. 1903 Daily Chron. 28 Dec. 3/4 It has..been alleged that the plate mark has been added to the prints subsequently. |
Hence ˈplate-marked a., having a plate-mark.
| 1902 Westm. Gaz. 7 May 12/2 Portraits..printed..on handsome plate-marked boards, with gold bevelled edges. |