Silverware Hallmarks Identification Guide
| EP | EP stands for electro-plated |
| BP | BP means Britannia plate |
| EPNS | Nickel silver is a copper alloy with nic ... |
| EPBM | The Britannia Metal used in the UK and i ... |
Full Answer
How do you identify the value of old silverware?
Tips for Silver Patterns Identification
- Polish your silverware if you’re having difficulty determining the manufacturer’s mark. ...
- Look for “925” or another number. ...
- Sometimes looking for antique silverware markings that show your flatware set is not sterling silver is just as helpful as looking for sterling marks. ...
- There are some companies that provide silver patterns identification services. ...
How to find the value of antique silver?
Some to consider are:
- The Price Guide to Antique Silver by Peter Waldron
- Warman's Sterling Silver Flatware: Value and Identification Guide by Phil Dreis
- Silver Identification and Price Guid e by Tony Curtis
How much is antique silverware worth?
Single pieces can range in price from $10 to $135, while a full service set with 84 pieces can be valued at $1,000 or more. Many collectors of Oneida silver collect a specific piece of flatware such as sugar spoons.
How to tell if an item is made of real silver?
Checking the label goes first. ... Items that say "IS" mean that that the item is "international silver" or silver-plated. If testing for bullion coins, strike two coins together. ... Use a neodymium magnet. ... Get two ice cubes. ... For coins, using a Fisch device can be helpful too. ...
How do I know if my old silverware is valuable?
Observe the Flatware Pattern The pattern engraved into your flatware pieces may also help determine how much they are worth, as some patterns are rarer and may have a higher value. Pieces that have a family monogram or are marked with initials have a lower value, as it is harder to find a collector.
What silverware is most valuable?
Handcrafted in New York by silversmith Cornelius Kierstede during the early 1700s, the Antique American Punch Silver Bowl surpassed all American silverware sale records by exceeding initial estimates of $400,000 and $800,000 — selling for a whopping $5.9 million.
Should I polish antique silver before selling?
0:003:00Should you clean your silver before you sell it? We explain ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore it's sold and if you've got silver then you need to do the same. Now you don't need to polishMoreBefore it's sold and if you've got silver then you need to do the same. Now you don't need to polish it until it sparkles like there's no tomorrow.
What is considered antique silverware?
For a piece to be considered antique silver, it must be over 100 years old. Silver items from the nineteenth century and early twentieth would be classified as antiques. Vintage silver, on the other hand, is 50 years old or younger. Typically, antique silver items are worth more money.
How do I sell my old silverware?
Just as you might sell gold or platinum, you can sell silver in a number of ways. The most common of these is to bring your silver to a local pawn shop, a silver exchange, a consignment shop, a local jeweler, or by using an online website.
What is the most expensive silver spoon?
DALLAS - A rare silver spoon made by America's most famous silversmith, Paul Revere, Jr., is now the most expensive spoon in the world after selling at Heritage Auctions for a record $32,500.
What is the best way to sell antique silver?
Private buyers and collectors give good prices. Find their ads in newspapers or online. Make the best profit by selling your silver yourself, after enough research. Place an ad online or sell through an auction site like eBay.
How do you clean heavily tarnished antique silver?
MethodSwab surface with methylated or white spirit to remove grease and dirt - some tarnish may also be removed.If tarnish remains, try gently rubbing a silver cloth over the surface - this has mild abrasive particles embedded in it. ... If tarnish still remains, try a mild abrasive paste, cream or foam.More items...
Is silver cutlery worth anything?
However, even an odd collection of silver cutlery can have a high value as long as it is made from sterling silver. Broadly speaking the older the service the rarer it is to remain as a straight service.
How do you identify vintage silver?
Silver hallmarks are one of the most important factors in identifying antique silver jewelry, flatware, and other items. These small stamped symbols on the back or underside of silver items can tell you the purity of the silver, the manufacturer of the piece, and sometimes even the date it was made.
What is the difference between antique silver and sterling silver?
A: Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals, usually copper. Silver jewelry marked with a 925 is sterling silver jewelry that has been certified to contain 92.5% silver content. Sterling silver is harder than silver and is more suitable for jewelry making.
How can you tell if a silver spoon is antique?
HallmarksDefinition. A hallmark is an official stamp on gold, silver and other precious metal articles, impressed by an assay office to attest their standard.History. ... Components of a Hallmark. ... The Standard Mark. ... The Date letter. ... The Assay Office Mark. ... The Makers' Mark. ... The Duty Mark.More items...
How to tell if silverware is antique?
If you possess antique sterling silver flatware, the first thing you would want to do to determine its originality is check out for the manufacturer’s mark. But before that, you should check the back of the silverware for imprints of “ster,” “925”, “92.5%,” or “sterling.”
How to Identify an Antique Sterling Silver Flatware?
Actually, in this case, what is not silver will glitter more. Try this, pick any flatware from your kitchen and rub it with a cloth or towel. The shinier it is, the less silver in it. Actual silver forms tarnish when wiped.
Why did the Germans make sterling silver?
The Germans came up with sterling silver flatware to beat the short lifespan of pure silver flatware. One thing peculiar to these pieces is that they are mostly passed as a family heirloom from one generation to the next.
What does it mean when sterling silver pulls?
If any piece of your sterling silverware pulls when placed close to a magnet, it is either another material coated with silver paint or just steel.
What is the heaviest item in sterling silver?
The table fork is usually the heaviest item in any set of sterling silver flatware.
What does A1 mean on flatware?
If your flatware has “A1” or “IS” on it, it identifies as silver-plated
What is George III pattern?
George III pattern – by Frank Whiting.; this pattern is from 1891 with extravagant designs. If you can see shells, acanthus, and leaves on your flatware, it is the George III pattern.
What type of silver is used on antique flatware?
The first thing you need to evaluate is the type of silver used on the item. There are two types of silver that you will find on antique flatware: silver plate and sterling silver. Silver plate was made with a silver coating on top of a different base metal; this method was typically used to provide a silver appearance at a lower cost.
How to tell if sterling silver is old?
In the United States, Sterling is easy to identify via the stamps which were present on all Sterling flatware made after 1850: this includes “Sterling,” “.925” and “925/100.” If your silver piece does not have any of these marks, then it is either very old (prior to 1850) or it is fake.
Can you tell the value of sterling silver?
You may not be able to tell the exact value of your sterling silver object (or objects) without outside assistance —in other words, an appraisal of some kind that will provide a more definite guideline for what you should be charging for your final thoughts.
Is silver flatware a collectible?
Antique silver flatware is one of the most popular collectible antiques in the world. Due to the popularity of antique silver flatware for sale, it can be difficult for non-informed antique silver flatware buyers to properly evaluate the value of their antique sterling silver flatware.
What is valuable antique silverware?
Valuable Antique Silverware is of two categories: Sterling silver and Silver plate. These are really simple to identify.
How to tell if a piece is sterling silver?
What this implies is that it is or .924 silver (I.e pure silver) with the addition of .075 copper.
What is nickel silver?
Nickel silver is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.In the UK and in USA silverware using this alloy were marked EPNS (or E.P.N.S), adopting the initials of Electro Plated Nickel Silver.
What metal is used in the UK?
The Britannia Metal used in the UK and in the USA had 93% tin, 5% antimony and 2% copper and was marked EPBM (or E.P.B.M) for Electro Plated Britannia Metal.
What is the stamp on sterling silver?
All Sterling silver manufactured in the United States after 1850 has a stamp of “Ster ling” or “925/1000” or “.925” on it.
How to find similar spoons?
Go through online auction sites like eBay to check for a similar spoon with the same manufacturer or hallmark to have an idea of its possible value.
How to find similar pieces for sale?
Place the features into a Google search bar to locate similar pieces for sale. Conversely, look for a replacement site for the piece. You would find a lot of price guides published online, on sale.
Is oxidation to silver plate good?
Oxidation to the silver plate but otherwise condition is excellent. No damage or repairs.
Is silver plate void of value?
Most American silver made after 1860 was marked. As you'll find in the following pictorial price guide, however, antique silver plate is not void of value although it rarely sells for as much as comparably styled and weighted antiques fashioned of sterling silver .
Can you find a buyer for antiques?
If you have all the time in the world , you can go through the leg work or expensive appraisers and still not find a buyer. An antique purveyor also depends on foot traffic or a network of people (which may only work for you in major cities with top sellers). In a nutshell, the simple fact is that the larger the market, the better your chances of selling.
Is silverware worth an appraisal?
However, the real answer is more complicated. How much silverware is worth can vary widely. Moreover, an appraisal still needs a buyer. It’s also important to consider what your valuables are worth and what you will take away. Appraisers and selling fees can be high. So, it may be best to find an alternative unless your items are worthy of Christie’s.
What is the most versatile piece of silver?
Table spoons are the most versatile piece of silver available. They can be used as serving pieces o...
What is a pierced serving fork?
Pierced serving forks are similar to regular serving forks except that they feature a pierced bowl.
How big is a gravel ladle?
Gravy ladles are the most common ladle size. Generally, this piece is 6-8 inches in length and can ...
Which knife is smaller, a dinner knife or a lunch knife?
Luncheon knives are smaller than a dinner knife but larger than a butter knife.