Many vintage marks, but far from all, include the name of the manufacturer. Very rarely are qualifying pieces of American silver from those years marked only 925. Rarer still, are American marks which include sterling
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Where can I find information about silver marks?
Enjoy your time here, we hope you find the site informative and useful. 925-1000.com is the most extensive internet resource for research of Silver Marks, Hallmarks, Trademarks & Maker's Marks found on Antique and Vintage silver.
What do the marks on the bottom of silver mean?
Silver Identification Guide January 1, 2020 The marks on the bottom of a piece of silver can be an indication of the age, maker, and origin of the piece. This mark is referred to as a “hallmark.”
How can I tell if a piece of silver is real?
” Other articles and marks can be found in” Silver and Other Metals identification guide and in the Article on Marks, and enter “Silver” in the filter. A single mark usually indicates that the piece of silver was made in America, although there are some Irish and Scottish pieces with just the maker’s name.
What are antique silver makers marks?
Antique Silver Makers Marks … In 1363 it was decided that one method of identifying the makers of sub-standard work or of maintaining a level of quality control, was to make the Master Goldsmith register a unique mark of his work in the form of initials, symbols or a shield. These antique silver markings would be struck onto the silver.
How can you tell if a piece of silver is antique?
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 mark for pure silver?
International sellers of silver will stamp silver as 925, 900 or 800." These numbers indicate the level of purity of the silver. Sterling silver has a purity of 92.5 percent or higher.
What is the number marking for silver?
Digits and Silver Quality Any piece of silver that has more than 92.5 percent silver is considered sterling silver or pure silver. If the silver markings percentage is 99.9, then you have fine silver. Therefore, you will be able to look and see a “925” or “999” on pieces of silver.
How do you identify silver markings?
The standard mark identifies your item as being silver. The mark for sterling silver is the lion passant or the lion passant guardant. Both look like a lion in profile. On earlier pieces of silver the lion is looking toward you, and this is a lion passant guardant.
What is the Lion mark on silver?
A stamp indicating the purity of the silver is called the assayer's mark. The mark for silver meeting the sterling standard of purity is the Lion Passant, but there have been other variations over the years, most notably the mark indicating Britannia purity.
What does 3 crowns mean on silver?
Salad sets in this style are most often silver plate. If the salad set bears a three crown mark that looks like this then it is solid silver of at least 830 fineness.
What do the symbols mean on silver?
A1 and AA: These discreet markings indicate the number of ounces of pure silver used in the plating. There's two ounces per gross of teaspoons for A1, and three ounces for AA.
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 does EP mean on silver?
Electroplated Nickel SilverIf a piece has EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver) or EP (Electroplate) marked on it, then it is definitely silverplate. If there is a maker's mark on it, the maker can be identified by consulting a good “mark book”.
What does letter D mean on silver?
The pieces were later marked with the store name. By 1830 the words COIN, PURE COIN, DOLLAR, STANDARD, PREMIUM, or the letters “C” or “D” were placed on silver to indicate that it was 900 out of 1000 parts silver. The word STERLING was frequently used by 1860. STERLING means that 925 out of 1000 parts are silver.
How can you tell if something is solid silver or silver plated?
Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.
What does AC mean on silver?
A.C into a shield. Alexander Clark, entered Oct 1894. The Alexander Clark Manufacturing Company, entered May 1898, Sheffield 1898 hallmark.
When were silver marks invented?
The Creation of Antique Silver Hallmarks. Antique Silver markings were first used in England in the 14th century and the story goes that around 1408 a silversmith called Philip Stubbs complained of the widespread use, by unscrupulous silversmiths, of drossie rubbage or refuse metal. This was alloyed with silver to make the metal tougher ...
Why use silver hallmarks on George III?
The initial reason for using silver hallmarks was to protect the purchaser , but over the years the marks had been somewhat confusing.
What is the Master Goldsmith's mark?
In 1363 it was decided that one method of identifying the makers of sub-standard work or of maintaining a level of quality control, was to make the Master Goldsmith register a unique mark of his work in the form of initials, symbols or a shield. These antique silver markings would be struck onto the silver.
When was the lion in the Assay Silver Hallmarks first used?
Full size looking ahead, first used in 1544. Changing to the higher standard of 95.8% silver caused some controversy.
What was the silver standard in 1720?
Changing to the higher standard of 95.8% silver caused some controversy. So, in 1720 it was agreed that the old standard would be restored, and run alongside the higher standard. Silver Duty Marks … in 1720, a charge of 6 pennies an ounce was made, as a duty for restoring back to the old standard.
Is it cheaper to collect antique silver?
It’s cheaper than Gold but Collecting Antique Silver can be an expensive pastime. If you choose collecting antique silver as your main antique interest, you should make sure you know the general history and the historical periods associated with collectable silver.
Is silver a metal?
Silver has always been alloyed with small amounts of other metals and this has continued through the ages to the modern age, making it very useful for collectors, firstly as an accurate form of dating and history as well as being quite possibly one of the first forms of consumer protection.