Dublin Assay Office, fineness numbers, imports
Irish gold hallmarks explained
Irish gold is marked with a fineness number (375 for 9ct, 750 for 18ct, 916 for 22ct) and, when assayed in Dublin, symbols from the Dublin Assay Office such as Hibernia and the crowned harp. The number tells you which price row applies; we confirm it by XRF before paying.
The fineness numbers
375 is 9ct, 585 is 14ct, 750 is 18ct, 916 is 22ct, 999 is fine gold. They are parts of gold per thousand. Multiply your weight in grams by today's published rate for that number and you have the metal value before any buyer margin, which is already in our published prices.
Dublin Assay Office marks
The Dublin Assay Office has marked precious metal in Ireland for centuries, today at Dublin Castle. You may see Hibernia (a seated figure) and a crowned harp beside the fineness number on Irish-assayed pieces. They show where the piece was tested, not a different price.
UK and continental marks on Irish jewellery
Much jewellery in Ireland was made in Birmingham, London or Europe and carries those marks. Read the fineness number or carat word, not the town symbol, when you estimate value. Our full hallmarks guide covers UK offices and plate marks.
No mark, or a worn mark
Resizing, long wear and imports often leave gold without a readable stamp. The piece is still bought; XRF replaces the hallmark on the offer. Unmarked is not fake by default.
Today's prices once you know the number
| Grade | Hallmark | We pay per gram | 5 g fetches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9ct gold | 375 | €34.06$38.12£28.52 | €170.30$190.62£142.59 |
| 14ct gold | 585 | €55.15$61.73£46.18 | €275.75$308.65£230.88 |
| 18ct gold | 750 | €73.30$82.04£61.37 | €366.50$410.22£306.86 |
| 22ct gold | 916 | €89.52$100.20£74.95 | €447.60$501.00£374.77 |
Shown in USD for reference at €1 = $1.1193 (ECB reference rate, 23 Oct 2026, 15:00). We pay in euro by bank transfer.
Shown in GBP for reference at €1 = £0.8373 (ECB reference rate, 23 Oct 2026, 15:00). We pay in euro by bank transfer.
How it works
Request a free postal pack
Fill in the short form at liffeymetals.com/sell/post and verify your email. The free Bosca Óir pack arrives by An Post with a security bag, a prepaid insured return label and a one-page guide. Gold worth roughly 300 to 2,000 euro goes straight through; larger lots are handled in person in Dublin by appointment.
Post it from any An Post office
Seal the items in the security bag, hand the parcel in at any An Post office and keep the proof of postage. The label is prepaid, tracked and insured, and once An Post scans it the parcel travels at our risk up to 2,000 euro. It usually reaches us in Dublin the next working day.
We weigh and XRF test it on camera
Every piece is weighed on a calibrated scale and tested on an XRF analyser, which reads the metal's composition without damaging it. The opening and testing are recorded, and your itemised offer lists each piece, its weight, its grade and the published price per gram applied. The offer stays open for 48 hours.
Accept the price and get paid by bank transfer
Accept and we pay by bank transfer the same working day, less 12 euro return postage at cost, waived when the parcel's melt value is over 500 euro. Decline and everything comes back to you free by tracked post. One valid photo ID is checked before any payment.
Questions people ask
What marks does Irish gold carry?
Modern Irish gold carries a fineness number such as 375 or 750 and Dublin Assay Office marks: Hibernia and a crowned harp on pieces assayed in Dublin. Older pieces may show 9ct or 18ct words instead of numbers.
Does every Irish ring have a Dublin mark?
No. Imports, older work and resized pieces may carry UK, European or maker-only stamps. All are tested and paid on what they are.
What does 375 mean on a ring?
9 carat gold: 375 parts gold per thousand, 37.5 percent gold. It sets the price row on our table directly.
Are UK hallmarks accepted?
Yes. A lion passant, crown and carat mark, or modern 375 to 999 numbers from Birmingham, London, Edinburgh or Sheffield are read the same way: fineness first, then weight.
Can hallmarks be wrong?
Counterfeits exist. That is why buyers XRF test regardless of stamps.
Where is the mark on a chain?
On the flat tag by the clasp or stamped on the clasp itself.
Ready to sell?
Check the net price per gram for your grade first, then request a free insured postal pack. Every item is tested on camera, the offer is itemised, and anything you decline comes back free.