Seconds items may have a scratch/line/mark through the back stamp or somewhere on the base of the item; this is done in order to differentiate between first quality and second quality.What is the difference between a first and a second? All pottery is manually inspected and only pieces which pass the highest standards are classified as first quality. An item is classified as a second where there is a marginal fault to the finish, the decoration or the shape. The fault is not structural, i.e. each piece still functions as intended