The Birmingham Assay Office

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.


Contact:

Address:
PO Box 151, Newhall Street
Birmingham
B3 1SB

Tel: 0121 236 6951
Fax: 0121 236 9032

Contacts: Mrs Gill Woolaway
Dr Sally Baggott - Curator

Email:info@theassayoffice.co.uk

Website: www.theassayoffice.co.uk


Detailed Information

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

    • Download the Silver Visits Brochure

Disabled visitors: How to get there:
  • There are restricted facilities for disabled visitors
Parking:
  • Cars: There is an NCP car park nearby with access from Newhall Street
    There is no parking on site

Other heritage attractions nearby:

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