plate mark

Noun

plate mark (plural plate marks)

1. A legal emblem stamped into articles made from precious metals such as gold and silver to indicate the value of the metal.
   • In Scotland the marks on silver of 11 oz. 2 dwts. are precisely the same as those on gold of 22 carats standard; and so it was, also, in England until the 7 & 8 Vict. c. 22, by s. 15 of which the gold plate mark was altered.1854, Hugh Tilsley, A Treatise on the Stamp Laws, in Great Britain and Ireland
   • Last autumn a gentleman who is well acquainted with plate marks saw this plate, and informed the owner that it was spurious.1883, Hall marks on gold and silver plate
2. A mark made on paper by the edge of an intaglio plate during printing.
   • All four beveled edges of the plate should correspond with the embossed plate mark on the back of the print.1976, Ruth Leaf, Etching, Engraving, and Other Intaglio Printmaking Techniques, →ISBN
   • Note both that the owner of the original painting is named on the print – John Conduit was married to Newton's niece – and that the plate mark, showing where the metal has been pressed onto the paper, is clearly visible.2011, Simon Gunn, Lucy Faire, Research Methods for History, →ISBN, page 32