Century Confusion

[thx1138]

On 5/12/2025 at 6:57 PM, soapytwist said:

 

Not sure if Bunsan is still on the site, but the colour and the thickness and position of the black ring on the cap would point to this being the solid 14K gold version of the original Century.

 

I think the black ring was much thicker on the solid gold models.

[soapytwist]

On 5/17/2025 at 9:50 AM, thx1138 said:

 

I think the black ring was much thicker on the solid gold models.

 

If you have a look at the catalogue I linked to, the solid gold models have a ring and then a gold tip to the cap.

- Thin black ring = 14K solid gold (as per Bunsan's photos)

- Thicker black ring = 18K solid gold

 

If the black part extends to the tip (i.e. no gold tip on the end), then it's rolled gold.

- Thin black end = 14K rolled gold

- Thicker black end = 10K rolled gold

 

It's worth noting that the way the Century is constructed, the actual amount of silver or gold used in the solid models is tiny compared to the amount used on say a Parker Presidential or a Montblanc Solitaire.

[Stompie]

I was in a bric a brac shop and saw this for £5. I lost my cross pencil years ago and for the price I thought it a good deal. The markings are V20 12 Gold filled. Made in the USA with that other strange marking on the barrel.

The pencil has no dents in it just some normal wear and tear marks.

I am happy.

 

 

[Chris1]

Interesting that the USA-made rolled gold pens are 12k whilst the Ireland-made ones are 10k (I must check if it ought to be k, K or kt or Kt).

 

I realise I have a selection in 10, 12, 14 and 18k; I'll take some pictures of the caps for general interest. Watch this space (and apologies for the photos, I'm not great!)

[Chris1]

I promised some pictures.

 

First a set of Cross Century ballpoints and pencils. These are the common, slim, ones we all know.

Top is 18K rolled gold - Cross is script on clip - narrow black band and gold to the top.

Next two down are 10K (Ireland) and 12K (USA) rolled gold - Cross in block letters on clip - wide black band to the top.

Bottom two are 14K rolled gold - Cross in script on clip - narrow black band to the top.

 

Here are the same pens/pencils from left to right.

 

Below are two are Century pens from the mid 1980's (now 'Century Classic') in silver. Top is a silver plate 'Selectip' with a narrow silver band set in a wider black band going to the tip. Cross is in block letters on the clip. I also have the normal, slim, silver plate ballpoint and pencil which have the same cap design with the narrow second silver band. I like the design best.

 

The lower one is a sterling silver Century fountain pen with a narrow black band to the tip and no thin silver second band; Cross is in script on the clip. This is the model that can suffer from the deadly nib wobble.

 

Finally three Townsend fountain pens.

Top is 18K rolled gold; note the narrow black band and the gold going to the top of the cap.

Middle is 10K rolled gold with the plain black end to the cap.

Bottom is sterling silver with a narrow black band and silver to the top of the cap.

All three have Cross in script on the clip.

 

Only the sterling silver pens are hallmarked, and then only the ones made in Ireland and China; the USA sterling silver Townsend isn't hallmarked.

 

This shows the system for indicating the gold karat is similar for the Century and Townsend ranges but different for silver. 

 

I don't think there were 14K rolled gold or silver plated Townsend models, but others may know better.

 

Hope that is of interest,Chris 

[Liuna]

Greetings. 

My question is there any differencebetween Classic and Century Classic (thinner ballpoints)? I know in what Century II differs from them.

 

I got this ballpoint and pencil, made in USA. Not sure about what time they could be from.