Author Archives: AntiqueSilver

Hallmarks -Do you know how to identify the country or era your antique silver piece is from?

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Do you know how to identify the country or era your antique silver piece is from? Hallmarks are the official stamps placed on a crafted piece of silver to properly identify many of its properties. They are easier to find than they are to interpret unless you have the help of a professional collector. Antique silver hallmarks attempt to tell the story of who made the piece, when it was made and various other tidbits of information that hold vital interest to collectors and determine the value.

Origin of Antique Silver Hallmarks

Originally, marks were stamped into the silver using a hammer and punch for the sole purpose of regulating the trade during a time when some craftsman were producing ‘drossy’ work. This took place in England through the regulating guild known as the Goldsmiths’ Company, for the sole purpose of ensuring that a standard was upheld. The Goldsmiths’ Company began their work as a guild in 1300 during the peak of a silver boom, and was established in 1327 with the issuance of a royal charter from Edward III. They operated out of the Goldsmiths’ Hall in London and immediately began inspecting pieces and keeping official records. They coined the term used for stamping the silver as Hallmarks because the silver pieces had to be brought to ‘the Hall’ for assaying and marking. They are still hallmarking today and stand as a leading international expert.

 

antique hallmark

Interpreting Hallmarks on Antique Silver

Today, many nations have their own hallmarks to uphold standard regulations surrounding the industry. Because England was the first to implement such a system, they are the most widely circulated. Here are some of the most common:

1. The Leopard Head

The very first documented reference to a Hallmark was the leopard’s head. The iconic symbol stood for the ‘guardians of the craft’ and was the assay mark from the Goldsmiths’ Company of London. At one point it was crowned and remained so until 1821, when the crown was removed. Today, it is still used as the London assay hallmark.

2. The Lion Passant

This hallmark was instituted in 1544 and is one of the most common throughout all of British silver because it denotes the national standard purity of the piece. It is of a lion poised for attack and may or may not have a crown upon the head. If it has an authentic lion passant, the antique silver piece is made with 92.5% silver and is officially Sterling.

3. The Britannia Standard Mark

Lion passant hallmarks were replaced across much of England during 1697 to 1720 by the Britannia standard mark. The standard purity level of silver was raised during this time period to 95.84% and was indicated by Britannia (the female personification of the island of Great Britain) sitting down with a shield at her left side. Scotland and Ireland did not adopt this standard, while London no longer used the leopard head during this time period, but rather a side facing lion to denote the higher standard.

 

antique image

As you can see, the world of antique silver hallmarks is a complex and historically rich system that many collectors and dealers spend their lives researching. If you have silver you want to know more about, whether to sell or begin your own collecting journey, bring your piece to one of our antique experts.

How to get the actual and not by-weight prices for Antique Sterling Silver Trays?

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If you’re planning on selling your antique sterling silver trays, you want to make certain you get the correct value for your pieces. There are two different types of prices for silver: the actual value of the piece and the by-weight value. There is often a very wide gap between these two prices, too. So how do you determine which is better?

Trays

The By-Weight Price

The by-weigh price is literally how much the silver that makes up your antique silver-plated trays is worth. If you took the trays, melted them down, and sold the silver, this is the price you would get for it. It’s determined by weighing the piece in Troy ounces. One Troy ounce is .911 of a U.S. ounce. For a tray that is pure silver (at least 92.5% silver), the price per Troy ounce is around $16.00 as of March 2018.

But the Actual Price May Be Much more

Say you have a silver tray that was made in the early 1800s. You could melt it down and get a little bit of money for it, true. However, you would be losing a lot of value. The tray is likely worth much more to silver tray dealers. If it’s a rare find or in outstanding condition, you’ll get a lot more money for it than if you sold it for the silver.

Determining the Actual Value

So how do you determine what silver tray buyers are likely to pay? There’s not an easy formula for figuring the actual value. Instead, you have to do some research. You need to examine the tray and determine when it was made and who made it. Then you need to research and determine how rare the piece is and if there’s a major demand for it. You can see what other people have paid for similar trays, too. This research should help you determine exactly how much the tray is worth to collectors.

 

 

Your First Step To Understanding the Buying and Selling World of Antique Silver Flatware

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Antique silver flatware remains among some of the most collectible types of antique silver on the market. With intricate craftsmanship and impressive presentation both decoratively and in treating your house guests to a special evening, antique silver flatware collectors can place very high values on these items.

Today, I want to talk about both sides of the market. What you might expect for prices on antique silver flatware, and to help answer the question, “Where can I sell my silver flatware?”
Where can I sell my silver flatware
You’ll find lots of valuable information on my site and within these blog posts about determining the value of your silver. How to identify the quality of your silver. Even who the best buyers of silver flatware are and what selling sterling silver flatware may entail for you.

As I’ve mentioned time and time again – you can easily take the first step yourself. Silver markings or Silver Hallmarks can, in many cases, be quite easy to identify. This is an important first step as it will help you understand the purity of your silver.

This is important as I’ve seen silver plated flatware sell for as low as $50 whereas a beautiful set of Rogers sterling silver flatware could be valued at $3000 or higher. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule. Silver value (your silver’s weight value) and the value added by it’s history, condition and demand can drastically alter the price
an antique silver flatware buyer may be interested in paying.

silver flatwares

Once you’re somewhat confident in a basic understanding of what quality or rarity your silver may have, I always recommend that people talk to a professional to get a better, more complete picture.

If you are looking to get the best price for your antique silver flatware at a local jeweler or pawn shop, you may need to look hard to find one that pays you the true worth of your item; if you are looking to sell from the convenience and comfort of your own home, you can send me photos and information on your silver and I’ll surely give you the best deal on antiques.

If you’re looking sterling silver flatware for sale, you’re options are also plentiful. I often recommend auction houses as you can see the items in person and stand to potentially get them for a good price. Online auctions are also quite popular.

However if you prefer the more personal touch there are many local antique and pawn shops you can explore. This is a secret pleasure of mine as the process itself is becoming antiquated in its own right and once and a while you might just stumble across a great little treasure.

Either way, whether your buying or selling, I wish you happy hunting!

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Sterling Silver: 5 Solid Sterling Silver Facts Everyone Should Know

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The beauty of sterling silver is undisputed. It has the gleaming, reflective qualities that make silver so popular for a wide variety of items, particularly jewelry, flatware, and decorative pieces like picture frames. If you inherit antique silver you may just think it is pure silver. That might not be true. It could be sterling silver. There are some differences between sterling silver vs. silver that you should be aware of. Those differences matter. They affect the value and composition of sterling silver. In this article we will explore five sterling silver facts that you should know.

Sterling Silver Is an Alloy

Sterling Silver Is an Alloy

The first thing you should know about Sterling silver is not the same as pure of fine silver. It is alloy. An alloy is a mixture of different metals. In the case of Sterling silver, it has a base of silver, usually around 92.5% silver. Then the remaining 7.5% of the Sterling silver can be a combination of other metals. Copper is the most frequently used metal in that mixture, but it can be a number of other metals and combinations of metals.

Sterling Silver vs. Silver: A Stronger Alternative

Sterling Silver vs. Silver_ A Stronger Alternative

Because silver has such beauty and value, many people ask why on earth anyone would want to “sully” it by adding any other metals to it. There is actually a very good reason. Pure silver is a soft metal. Overtime it doesn’t hold its shape very well. It is extremely prone to dents and scratches. It can be a lovely metal for items that will just for display but it doesn’t last a long when used in items like jewelry and flatware that are handled and used often. The solution to that inherent softness is to add a come copper or other metals that make the silver stronger and more durable while retaining its beauty.

You May Notice An Assayer’s Mark on Sterling Silver

You May Notice An Assayer’s Mark on Sterling Silver

Since Sterling silver is an alloy, it may have an assayer’s mark. This can give you some insight into the origins of your antique silver. The assayer’s mark is often an animal or other symbol that signifies where the sterling silver was manufactured. It also often contains a number that tells you the purity of the silver. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver so the marking will be 925.

The Value of Your Sterling Silver Will Vary

The Value of Your Sterling Silver Will Vary

Being an alloy and not a pure precious metal metals means that Sterling silver isn’t considered an “investment metal”. In spite of that, the value of Sterling silver is tied to the value of pure silver due to its high silver content. For that reason, you should take the time to research the price of silver if you decide to sell your sterling silver jewelry, flatware, or other items made of sterling silver. That is the best way to get an idea of what your antique silver is worth.

Sterling Silver Will Tarnish- Store it Right

Sterling Silver Will Tarnish- Store it Right

Anyone who has ever owned anything silver knows that it will tarnish. You probably already know that antique silver needs to be polished on a regular basis. That is true for Sterling silver as well. You should also be aware that how you store your Sterling silver also makes a difference. Humidity really causes silver to tarnish. If you store Sterling silver in jewelry box, display case, or other enclosed place you should include the sort of desiccate (or salt) packets that are used to absorb humidity. Also, if you aren’t using or displaying your Sterling silver item, you can use jeweler’s cloths or polyurethane bags for long-term storage. They prevent exposure to oxygen and the process of oxidation that causes tarnish.

How to Find the Real Value of a Wm. Rogers Silverware Set?

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The evaluation of the Rogers silverware set depends upon many factors, which need to be overlooked and examined carefully. Places that buy sterling silver always follow those factors that make them confirm the real price of the item. As per silver buyers, Wm. Rogers silverware sets are antique and, when in good condition, can reach a higher value. Also, the current estimated market value of Rogers silverware has reached $31.88. Let’s take a quick glance at the topic to make it clear.

Wm. Rogers Silverware Set

Read Blog- Factors to Consider when Determining the Value of Wm. Rogers Silverware

A quick view of William Rogers, the silversmith

William Rogers was a professional watchmaker and silversmith who started apprenticing in the year 1820. Later, his pieces were marketed under his own name and became a brand with the name Church & Rogers in the industry of silver-making objects. Apart from this, silver flatware and hollowware were introduced when he became a partner with his brother Asa Rogers.

Hence, including history, condition, and many more factors are considered to determine the price. Let’s uncover those factors…

1. Patterns and symbols

Many beautiful patterns were engraved on the silver set dating back from 1879 to the present. Like Acme, Alaska, Beauty, Beloved, Berwick patterns, and many more, increase the value of the piece. These patterns are recognized by silver appraisers who are well-experienced and can figure out whether the pattern on the spoon matches with Rogers’ manufacture.

However, the Wm. Rogers silver mark contains a mark or stamp of the manufacturer, like “Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co.”. This indicates the purity of silver and sometimes the owner, and also the date of manufacture.

Also, marked with triple plate or A-1, these are considered to be silver-plated flatware and silverware. Patterns and markings play a big role when determining the real value of hollowware.

Just for the knowledge: what does “IS” mean stamped on the Rogers Silversets?

It means “International Silver” but doesn’t define the purity of the silver set.

2. Condition

The other thing that is noticed by sterling silver buyers is the condition of the item. Meanwhile, Rogers pieces are silver plated, but if there are scratches or heel wear, they might lose value. Since forks and spoons cannot be polished, it is not that worth it as compared to good condition. The condition of the silverware set by Rogers matters the most in terms of evaluating the price.

3. The era of manufacturing:

History defines the rarity of the Rogers hollowware set. The older the piece, the greater its worth. So, remember, if you come across a spoon, knife, or fork made by William, especially if it dates back, consider it valuable and the best production. The historical story of the antique item makes it more in-demand and well-determined.

Things to consider

Lastly, these 3 important points are viewed by the collectors to examine the price of the silverware set. You must be aware-‘how to find the real value of a Wm. Rogers silverware set?’ Although silver collectors near me in Florida collect and sell them to buyers who are willing to buy them.

However, if you are a collector or new to the industry, you should always consider getting an appraisal for the William’s silver sets or the other antique pieces. So that next time you sell antique silver in your area, you will be knowledgeable enough to get the right price for the item.

Decoding Hallmarks – A Guide to Reading Hallmarks on British Silver

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Hallmarks are used by the Royal Mint to identify the date, mint mark, and other information about each coin that it produces. They’re also used to authenticate antiques that were produced before the introduction of modern technology in the early 20th century.

Learn how to decode them and what they mean.

The Royal Mint uses three different hallmarks to identify its products. The first two are the year and mintmark, while the third identifies the type of metal being used. The year is usually stamped at the top left corner of the coin, followed by the mintmark. The mintmark is usually stamped below the year.

The mintmark is made up of a number and an abbreviation. The number represents the year when the coin was struck, while the abbreviation indicates where the coin was minted. For example, “R” stands for the Royal Mint, “D” stands for the Devon Mint, and “S” stands for the South Wales Mint.

The last hallmark is the type of metal being produced. This is indicated by the letter “M.” If the coin is made from copper, then the letter will be “C.” If the coin is silver, then the letter will read “A.” And if the coin is gold, then the letter will say “G.”

If you’re thinking about purchasing silver made in the UK, you want to make certain that what you’re buying is pure silver. Otherwise, you may be paying a lot of money for something that isn’t worth much at all. In order to identify the pieces you’re buying as true silver items, you need to understand British silver hallmarks. Here’s a quick rundown of what these marks include.

 

Hallmarks on British Silver

A Standard mark

The first step to identifying silver hallmarks is to look for the standard mark. There were five different marks used on British silver, and they’re easy to recognize. They are the walking lion, the standing lion, the thistle, the crowned harp, and the symbol of Britannia. If you can’t find one of these marks on the item, it was likely silver plated or was made elsewhere.

The Town Mark

The next mark to check for is the town mark. This mark identifies where exactly the piece was manufacture red. There are a number of these silver hallmarks, so you may need a reference guide to determine what town the mark on your item represents.

The Duty Mark

The duty mark was only used between 1784 and 1890. It indicated that a duty was paid on the silver. Older items may have the King’s head, indicating that the item was made between 1784 and 1837. When Queen Victoria took the throne, the mark was changed to the Queen’s head. These antique silver hallmarks are useful in determining when a piece was made.

The Date Letter

This letter indicates when the silver piece was made. The letter changed periodically, and each town often used a different font or even a different letter. Again, this is something that you will need to use a guide for, and you’ll need to determine the town mark first.

The Maker’s Mark

Finally, there’s the marker’s mark. This mark is the symbol or initials of the maker or manufacturer. It’s the final piece needed to determine exactly where, when, and who made the silver piece.

How to Sell Your Silver Bowl for More Than It Is Worth?

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Selling your antique sterling silver bowls may seem like a great way to make some extra money, but you want to make sure you’re getting a good price for them. In fact, if at all possible, you want to get more for these bowls than what they’re actually worth. Otherwise, it might seem like a waste of time to find a buyer and sell the bowls. If you’re considering selling any silver bowls, here are a few tips for getting the maximum amount of money from the sale.

#1 – Clean Them Up

As with any silver pieces, before you can sell antique silver bowls, you need to make sure they’re completely tarnish-free. There are a number of different DIY methods you can use to get tarnish off of silver. You can also purchase special silver polishing cloths and other products designed to remove tarnish. Always give your silver a nice polish before you take photos of it, take it to appraisers, or show it off to potential buyers. You want to make sure it looks amazing, even if you know the buyer is simply going to melt it down.

Clean your silver

#2 – Learn What You Have

Do you know who made your silver bowls? Do you know when they were made? All of this information plays into the value of the bowl. If you want to sell it for more than it’s worth, you need to know as much about the history of the piece as possible. Learn if it’s silver plated or sterling silver—that’s very important since items that are silver plated don’t sell for as much. Determine if the silver is 92.5% silver. If it is, it’s considered sterling, and it’s much more valuable.

#3 – Who Are You Selling To?

f you do a search for “where can I sell silver bowls” online, you’ll get a lot of hits. Remember, though, that not all of these buyers are going to offer you the same amount of money. Companies that buy and sell silver will always try to buy for as low as they can. That’s because they expect to resell the items at a profit. The same is true for companies that plan on melting down the silver. They have less interest in the piece itself and are just looking for items that are sterling.
Antique Silver Collector
If you’re selling to a collector, though, that’s where you can get top dollar. This is especially true if the silver bowls you have are fairly old and rare. You may be surprised at how much a collector will pay for bowls that complete their set.

#4 – Look at What Sellers Want

Look at websites created for and by silver bowls collectors online. Here, you’ll be able to get an idea of what silver bowls are currently selling for and which ones are among the rarest. You can use these websites to determine if what you have is truly special or if you’re better off selling it to someone who wants it just for the silver. Be sure you do your research—the last thing you want to do is let something go for much less than what it’s worth.

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Smart Ways to Sell Family Silver for Cash

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If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, selling your silver might be just the thing. Here are seven smart ways to sell silver that will help you earn extra cash.
When you decide it’s time to sell off your family’s antique silver, you want to be sure you get the best value for it.Selling silverware, teapots, and other similar things is a bit more complicated than just heading down to your local pawn shop—at least if you want to get top dollar.To sell silver and get the most out of it, you need to know a few things. Here are a few tips on finding antique silver buyers in Florida, and getting the money that your family silver is truly worth.

Finding Out Where to Sell Silver

Second, the people who work in pawn shops are kind of a jack of all trades when it comes to purchasing and selling goods. They don’t have the trained eye that is required to truly evaluate the worth of a piece. A pawn shop employee may believe that he or she is offering you a great price and unknowingly underbid you for your family silver.
Antique Pawn Shop

Before you take your silver in, spend some time polishing it. A trained eye will see the silver’s value, regardless of whether you polished it or not. Still, silver buyers are people, too, and leaving a good impression will never hurt your position.
Never settle for the first offer you get. Remember, these people make a living by buying low and selling high. Get two or three offers, then consider which one you feel is best for your situation.
An alternative to this would be to take your family silver to a silver dealer for an evaluation as to its value. Be very clear beforehand that you are willing to pay him or her for his or her expertise in valuing the silver, but you will not be selling to him or her (that removes any incentive to provide a lower than usual valuation). Then, using that valuation as a baseline, shop around and see what kind of offers you can get.

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Philip & Kelvin LaVerne’s Rare Sculptural Bronze Cube

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The piece is made from bronze and has been described as “a unique work of art.” It was created by Philip Laverne and his son, Kelvin Laverne. The two artists were inspired by the shape of a cube when creating the sculpture. They used a 3D printer to make the sculpture.

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne sculptures are highly unique pieces, not only compared to others, but within themselves. The pair worked together to create artistic furniture, such as coffee tables, cocktail tables, chairs, and more. Philip was born in 1907 and Kelvin in 1937. The father-and-son duo worked together for many years. Each and every one of their pieces combines functionality with beautiful décor. These pieces have lasted years, and some of the best sculptures by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne can cost a prospective consumer tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Antique Silver Dealers in Largo

 

The Family Artists Were Revolutionary

Artworks by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne changed the way people saw furniture. What was simply a tool before suddenly became an opportunity. However, they did not do so easily. The pair were far ahead of their time. Many of their works reflect contemporary designers far more than works created during the same time period those men were working. Philip and Kelvin LaVerne said art was not as highly appreciated at the time of construction as it is today. The goals that they strived for (and ultimately achieved) and their means of production were far different than those that others used at that time. This made them revolutionary, but also made them different. That was frequently frowned upon.

 

Antique Silver Masterpiece

How Did They Create Their Masterpieces?

The basis of most of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s art was bronze casting. Though that practice itself was hundreds of years old, it was not as commonly used in furniture as it was in sculpture and statues. In furniture, though, it was tweaked just a tad. This gave the artists the ability to give each piece a distinct and different patina. They also utilized direct carving techniques. Taking a slab of bronze, the men would then slowly work with it over the course of six or more weeks. Using a special soil, they were able to control the oxidation process and get the exact color shades they sought. The process was truly remarkable and new. It also led to new ideas, such as a simple bronze cube. Their designs were generally conservative. This meant that each piece could be used in nearly any setting, no matter how traditional or modern. Each piece had the engraved signature of both men and was truly an investment that would last for years to come.

Antique Bronze Cube

The Sculptural Bronze Cube

At the Tennessee Museum of Art, as a permanent collection item, there is a signed cube of bronze. This piece maintains the general integrity of the original slab of bronze, but carries some changes as well. Philip and Kelvin LaVerne used a torch to create various small cutouts across the surface of the piece. There are variations in color, texture, and edging. It has a very natural look, almost untouched by man, but not quite. The edges are not sharp and defined, but flow naturally as the slab may have come. This is a rare piece, as it is the only piece like it in their collection. Because it is a permanent item in Tennessee, it is not as well-known as some of the pair’s other works.

Regardless of whether it is a slab of bronze or an intricate cabinet that took many weeks or months to create, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s work is immortalized and lives in the hearts of those who appreciate it for many more years to come.
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