Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando
Jim, you will notice that a great part of the punzones listed in the nomina have letters that, to us, have nothing to do with their names ... first or family ones. Smiths were wise and they sure knew what they meant with those ... but we don't. Apparently in some cases the letter refers to the place where they came from, or worked before ... but not all.
I have sent email to a true specialist, asking for his perspective over the Hernandez punzon symbol. Hopefuly he will answer my question and has ever given some thought on this subject.
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Thats a great point Fernando! Knowing that the Toledo mark was a T of course, it seems quite likely that the letters may have related to the locations where these smiths worked, much as your suggestion of Zaragosa. While Toledo of course carried the famed reputation, there were certainly shops in other locations surrounding the region.
I seem to have track of the history of the Palomares nomina, which you thoroughly described at some point over the years. Can you remind me of how and when this key compilation was originated? I wonder if its sources might have clues to older records that might have such lost details.