958
Britannia silver / 23K gold · 95.8% pure
Silver · Gold
958 has two lives. On silver it's Britannia — 95.8% pure, a higher, softer British standard above sterling, marked with the seated figure of Britannia. On gold it's 23-carat, an unusual high-purity grade recognised in India. Either way it means 95.8% pure: a step above the everyday standards, and just below fully fine metal.
Hallmark Translator
Translate a purity you know into how any country marks it — gold, silver, platinum, palladium — or compare two countries side by side.
Why 95.8%?
Britannia silver was introduced in England in 1697 — at 95.8%, a higher standard than sterling, brought in to stop sterling coin being melted down for plate. It's softer and more lustrous than sterling, and still a legal British standard, marked by the figure of Britannia.
As gold, 958 means 23-carat — an unusual grade most markets skip, sitting between 22K (916) and pure 24K. It's recognised in India's gold standard (IS 1417).
958, metal by metal
The same number means the same purity on every metal — but what it's called, and the mark struck beside it, changes with both the metal and the country.
On silver
Britannia silver — 95.8%, the higher British standard introduced in 1697; softer than sterling, marked with the seated figure of Britannia.
On gold
23-carat gold — 95.8% pure, an unusual high grade recognised in India, between 22K and pure 24K.
Independent assay
What people actually ask
What does 958 mean on silver?
It's Britannia silver — 95.8% pure, a higher British standard than sterling, marked with the figure of Britannia.
Britannia (958) vs sterling (925) — what's the difference?
Britannia is purer (95.8% vs 92.5%) and softer; sterling is harder and the everyday standard. Britannia was introduced in 1697.
Why does my silver say 958?
It's hallmarked as Britannia silver, the higher UK standard — you'll see it alongside the Britannia figure.
Is 958 gold real?
Yes — 23-carat gold, 95.8% pure, an unusual high grade recognised in India.
A reference guide, not an authentication service. The same number can appear on different metals, and the mark beside it varies by country, date and maker — consult the relevant assay office or standards body for definitive identification.