Goldsmiths Company - 5

 Number 5 in the Great Twelve companies, it received its Royal Charter in 1327. Regulates the craft or trade of the Goldsmith, tests the quality of gold, silver and nowadays platinum and palladium articles. Then, if any articles were found to be below standard, they were destroyed and the metal forfeited to the King.

The word hallmark originates from the 15th century when craftsmen were required to bring their artefacts to Goldsmiths Hall for assaying, or marking. The City of London's mark of authenticity is the leopards head seen here on the gates opposite the hall.

This is still a requirement today, and a permanent Assay Office can be found within the Goldsmiths Hall, the leopards head as a mark of the office. 

Other responsibilities include Keeper of the Troy Weight; the standard measurement of weight used for gold, and the annual examination of coins manufactured by the Royal Mint. This is known as the Trial of the Pyx. It also checks items of antique silver plate to look for hallmarks.

Goldsmiths Hall in Gresham Street is the third on this site since 1339. It narrowly escaped a bomb which exploded here in 1941 and has been recently refurbished to adapt it for the 21st century. The Livery Hall within has a moulded ceiling in gold leaf.