British Sterling Maker's Marks The maker's mark is a series of initials representing the name of the silversmith or company. They are set into a cartouche, usually the same as the other marks, but not always.
Full Answer
What do the symbols on sterling flatware mean?
- The assay mark for Birmingham England is a... A crown An anchor A castle
- Date marks are always a... Letter Number Roman numerals
- The British sterling mark is a lion... Rampant (on two legs with front claws attacking) Sejant (seated) Passant (walking with one paw raised)
- A group of letters indicates what? ...
How to identify vintage sterling flatware?
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. ...
Is sterling silver flatware worth anything?
This should only be done by a professional. Sterling flatware always retains it intrinsic silver value & usually a value also as tableware. Silver plate has no intrinsic silver value. It is not worth the refining costs to try to redeem the silver. It has very little resale value as tableware.
How do I choose the best sterling silver flatware?
Set your price range and quantity
- Open-stock flatware. If you want to pick and choose the flatware you need, many retailers, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrel, or IKEA, sell individual pieces of ...
- Place settings. ...
- Box sets. ...
How do you identify silver's makers marks?
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 marks show sterling silver?
In the United States, sterling silver is classified as containing 92.5% or more silver, which is why you might see “sterling” or “925” stamped at the bottom of an authentic sterling silver piece. That's the key identifier that a piece is sterling silver.
What is the makers mark on silver?
Makers' Marks The company or person responsible for sending a silver article for hallmarking has their own unique mark that must be registered with the assay office – a process that has been compulsory since the 14th century.
What are the 5 standard silver marks?
There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver:The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England.The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow.The thistle for for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh.The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin.More items...
Does sterling silver always have a stamp?
Search for a sterling silver quality mark.. In the US, it is not required to stamp precious metals with quality marks, but if you do have a quality mark, there MUST be a maker's hallmark alongside it.. The United Kingdom, France, and the United States of America each have a distinct marking system.
What symbols mean sterling silver?
Sterling silver (925): This is the standard for silver, identifying a silver item that is at least 92.5% silver mixed with copper to give it strength. Marks on these pieces include 925 or Sterling. Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling.
Is there an app to identify silver hallmarks?
Miller's Silver Marks app is the only product that will enable you to identify an unknown piece of silver from any country around the world – quickly and confidently. It is an essential tool for collectors, academics, dealers and students.
What does the letter s mean on silverware?
Silver at that time was sometimes marked "COIN" or "PURE COIN", but can also be without a standard mark altogether. After the adoption of the sterling standard, pieces were marked with "STERLING", the number "925" or the notation "925/1000".
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 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.
How do you test silver at home with vinegar?
Some people try to save money by using vinegar instead of acid but vinegar won't give you accurate results. For this test, you just put a drop of acid on your silver item. If the acid turns the wrong color then it's fake. If it turns the correct color then the silver is real.
What does WP mean on silver?
BRITISH ELECTROPLATED SILVER - ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF MAKER'S MARKS: WA-ZZWIDE AWAKE under a 'eagle's head'George Barnsley & Sons (Cornish Works) - Sheffield - 1860-1919( WP ) inside a 'crown'William Page & Co - Birmingham - 1896( WP ) inside a 'lozenge'William Page & Co - Birmingham55 more rows
What are silver plated knives used for?
If you’ve spent time hunting for sterling silver and silver-plated flatware, you know that about 99% of the items you come across at estate sales and antique malls are silver-plated knives, forks, spoons, salad spoons and forks, and the jumbo forks and knives that are used to carve turkeys and roasts. (Note that carving knives usually have silver ...
Do knives escape from sterling silver?
Yet the fact remains that individual knives, forks and other pieces of sterling flatware do sometimes “escape.”. If luck is on your side, you might find one hiding in trays alongside silver-plated flatware. Here are some brands to look for.
What is a sterling maker's mark?
British Sterling Maker's Marks. The maker's mark is a series of initials representing the name of the silversmith or company. They are set into a cartouche, usually the same as the other marks, but not always. For example; W & H, for Walker & Hall of Sheffield is set within a flag.
What is the sterling standard?
Britain's long use of the sterling standard has made the word "sterling" mean the pinnacle of quality, whether in metal or a person's character. By law, British sterling must be 925 parts silver to 75 parts other alloy metals, or 925/1000. This is known as the "sterling standard.".
What is the hallmark of French sterling silver?
French sterling silver is notorious for having tiny little hallmarks that are hidden in the decorations sometimes.You may have missed it. French sterling has a rooster for the sterling mark, and other symbols for the town and maker. Good luck.
What is the British system of sterling silver?
All of Great Britain use the same system to mark their sterling silver. Each item is assayed (tested) for quality, then marked with a series of 4 - 5 symbols, each in a cartouche of the same shape. The shape is used with letters to help date the item.
What is a town mark?
British Town Marks. The town or city mark denotes the place where the item was tested for its silver quality, or "assayed". Common town marks are: London: Leopard's head (with or without a crown) Birmingham: Anchor.
Why are some letters omitted?
Some letters can be omitted, like "J" or "V", because they are too similar to other letters. When the last letter is reached, the alphabet is repeated, but with a different style of lettering or font.
Is a sterling lion a walking lion?
If you look closely, the lion is not a walking lion (which is the English symbol for sterling), it is rearing up on it's hind legs. The anchor is just an anchor. It doesn't mean "assayed in Birmingham". As for the "coin silver" mark, your piece is still solid silver, just of a lesser quality than sterling.