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Gorham is one of the most respected names in American silver. Founded in 1831 in Providence, Rhode Island, the Gorham Manufacturing Company built a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, timeless design, and fine materials. Over nearly two centuries, Gorham produced a wide array of sterling and silverplated flatware, hollowware, and decorative pieces—many of which remain highly sought after today.
If you’ve come across a piece stamped “Gorham,” understanding the marks on it can help you determine whether it’s sterling or plated, identify its age, and even narrow down its pattern or design line. This guide breaks down what to look for, how to interpret key symbols, and what those signatures really mean.
Silver marks are often the only way to accurately determine what kind of metal you’re dealing with—and in Gorham’s case, they also tell a rich story of American silver production. Unlike some manufacturers that kept markings relatively simple, Gorham used a system of hallmarks, symbols, and production codes to denote both metal content and manufacturing periods.
Being able to read these marks helps distinguish a solid sterling heirloom from a silverplated reproduction or decorative piece. It’s also a key factor in estimating potential value.
The most important distinction is whether your Gorham piece is sterling silver or silverplate. Sterling items are made from 92.5% pure silver and are typically marked with:
In contrast, silverplated items won’t say “sterling.” Instead, you’ll find markings such as:
If you see a YC code (e.g., “YC3002”), the piece is silverplated. This code system was widely used for Gorham’s silverplated items throughout the mid-20th century.
For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Gorham used a unique trio of hallmarks to signify sterling silver: a lion, an anchor, and a script “G”. These symbols typically appear together, in sequence, and are highly recognizable among collectors.
This hallmark trio is usually followed by the word “STERLING” and occasionally accompanied by a production number, date mark, or pattern code.
Beginning in the mid-1860s, Gorham introduced a date mark system using letters and later, symbols. From 1868 to around 1933, these marks changed annually and can help precisely date a piece. While not every item includes a date mark, those that do are highly informative for collectors.
Here are a few examples:
Each symbol corresponds to a specific production year, and while memorizing them isn’t necessary, referencing a Gorham hallmark chart can quickly help narrow down when your piece was made.
In addition to maker’s marks, many Gorham items—especially flatware and hollowware—are stamped with pattern names or model numbers. These may be numerical (e.g., “1100”) or alpha-numeric. Knowing the model or pattern can lead you to a precise match in Gorham catalogs, which is helpful when identifying or valuing a piece.
Over time, silver marks can wear down—especially on well-used flatware or heavily polished items. If you're having trouble identifying a mark:
Gorham silver marks serve as a roadmap to understanding what you’re holding. Whether it’s a sterling serving spoon from the 1880s or a silverplated candy dish from the 1960s, the marks can reveal not only metal content, but manufacturing era, pattern lineage, and sometimes even collectibility.
Being able to identify these symbols and codes is key for collectors, sellers, or anyone simply curious about a family heirloom. And with Gorham’s deep legacy in American silver, each piece tells a story worth uncovering.
