How can I date Wedgwood using the three-letter code on the base?

Many Wedgwood pieces carry an impressed “WEDGWOOD” plus a three-letter code used for dating. Auction guidance on marks says this impressed system first appeared in 1860 and that the final letter relates to a year within the code cycle. A long-running marks reference expands on letter shifts across the 1860s and later pattern-number systems. This code is a strong tool, yet it is not universal: some bodies, shapes, or decorative lines lack it. Start by taking a sharp photo of the full base, then write down every letter, number, and word in order. Compare your code with a trusted chart from an established marks guide. If the stamp has a clear “ENGLAND,” that can serve as an extra clue for later production runs. Treat faint or partial codes with care, since one misread letter can move the date by decades.