E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Silver.
The Frenchman employs the word silver to designate money, the wealthy Englishman uses the word gold, and the poorer old Roman brass (æs).
1
Silver and gold articles are marked with five marks: the maker’s private mark, the standard or assay mark, the hall mark, the duty mark, and the date mark. The standard mark states the proportion of silver, to which figure is added a lion passant for England, a harp crowned for Ireland, a thistle for Edinburgh, and a lion rampant for Glasgow. (For the other marks, see MARK.)
