The 'eagle' mark also known as the 'bell' mark, or
Mexican government assay mark, was used from approximately 1946 to 1979
(according to Warmans Jewelry 2nd edition by Christie Romero), and signified
that the item so marked was at least of sterling (0.925 or 92.5% silver)
quality. Oftentimes makers used higher quality silver, sometimes as much
as .990 or 99.0 % pure silver! However, the use of this mark was inconsistent
and erratic.
The primary use of the eagle mark to collectors is
as an aid in circa dating. The lack of an eagle mark, however, does not rule
out the item being made during this period.
Attribution to a specific maker cannot be made with
certainty based solely upon an eagle mark. Other considerations such as style
and workmanship play a greater role in making such a determination when a
maker's mark is absent.
This list has been compiled from actual observation
by several collectors, and should be considered a work in progress. Additions
are welcomed!
We would like to express our gratitude to Phyllis
Goddard for this updated version of Mexican 'Eagle Marks'. We very much
appreciate her willingness to share this well-researched
information.
1 Generic mark for Mexico City
1 William Spratling
1 Los Castillo
1 Santos
1 Anita (Hector Gomez) – was a 14 year Spratling apprentice
1 AR
1 ARI
1 CLS
1 HCV Plata 925 Hecho en Mexico DF
2 ECP
2 Bernice Goodspeed
3 RHC or RHG
3 R. Chavarrieta
3 Piedra y Plata
3 Hector Aguilar
3 Antonia
3 Ledesma
3 Sigi
3 Bernice Goodspeed
3 Marciela (Ysidro Garcia)
3 VJC for Victor Jaimez
3 MRV
3 JN Jacobo
3 Delfino
3 Generic mark for Taxco
3 Abriaca
3 JLF
3 JS
3 BR
3 SD or SC
3 ORVELO
3 NESTOR
3 Generic mark for Guadalajara
5. Chato Castillo
7 Tane?
9 Hector Aguilar
11 Gonzalo Morenom, Mexico DF
12 Victoria
12 Antonio?
13 Spratling
13 Conquistador
15 Los Castillo
16 Margot
17 Antonio
18 Antonio?
22 Bernice Goodspeed
23 ATE
24 ?Idetae Mexico D.F. (cheese knife)
26 Lopez
Bernice Goodspeed?
30 Spratling
34 Parra (Conquistador)
35 Sigi
36 Sigi
36 Salvador Teran
40 Reveri Castillo
47 Los Ballesteros
56 Salvador?
58 Antonio and Los Castillo on the same piece (fish bracelet)
60 Ledesma
63 Spratling
71 Tane?
84 Miguel Garcia
123 Matl
129 Matl
