The hallmark symbols confirm the type and purity of the metal(s), the year of testing, which of the UK's four assay offices hallmarked the item, and the maker's mark. Each producer of precious-metal goods in the UK has its own unique maker's mark. This law, and the symbols used in hallmarking, stretch back to the opening of the London Assay Office in 1478: prior to that, craftsmen took their gold items to Goldsmith's Hall in London for testing and marking - which is why it's called a hallmark.
Ninefinger's work is tested and hallmarked by the Birmingham Assay Office, which opened in 1773: Birmingham's symbol is an anchor.
Ninefinger's maker's mark is the three characters I, X, and F on a rectangular octagon background: IX is the number nine in Roman numerals; and F is the first character in Finger.
