The Birmingham Assay Office
The Birmingham Assay Office was founded by Act of Parliament in 1773 to assay and hallmark items made from precious metals. It is now the largest Assay office in the World and provides a range of other services designed to protect both consumers and traders. These include its internationally recognised Laboratory, AnchorCert Diamond and Gemstone Certification service and SafeGuard, the UK's largest independent jewellery valuation service. The Birmingham Assay Office was founded by Matthew Boulton, one of Birmingham's leading industrialists and is his only surviving enterprise which is still in business today.
PO Box 151, Newhall StreetBirmingham B3 1SB
Tel: 0121 236 6951
Fax: 0121 236 9032
Contact: Mrs Gill Woolaway
Dr Sally Baggott - Curator
Email: info@theassayoffice.co.uk
Website: www.theassayoffice.co.uk
- SILVER COLLECTION GROUP VISITS
The Birmingham Assay Office offers the opportunity to view its historic Silver Collection which includes many spectacular objects created by some of Birmingham's most celebrated silversmiths. For reasons of security The Birmingham Assay Office and its collections can only be viewed by recognised groups and by prior arrangement. The number of visitors is limited to 20 per session. The tour will last approximately two hours
- Student and technical visits can also be arranged.
- The curator is also available to give external talks on the history of hallmarking and The Birmingham Assay Office
- The Birmingham Assay Office Meeting rooms are also available for hire.
- Prices upon application
- There are restricted facilities for disabled visitors
- How to get there:
- 10-15 minutes walk from Birmingham New Street Station
- 10 minutes walk from Snow Hill Station
- Parking; There is an NCP car park nearby with access from Newhall Street There is no parking on site