Category Archives: Silver Markings

Sterling Silver Marking

Silver Appraisal: Know the Current Market Value of Your Silver

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If you have silver, it is important that you know exactly what it is worth. This is especially important if you are contemplating selling the item. There are silver flatware collectors that will buy your item if you are willing to sell but you need to establish the true value of what you have.

First, know the type of silver you have

Sterling silver flatware are made of real silver unlike silverplate that are metals coated with silver to look like the main thing. Your first step is to establish that the item you have is sterling silver. In the United States, for instance, every silver created after 1850 is stamped with one of these three marks:

  • Sterling
  • .925
  • 925/1000

Unless the silver was made before 1850, you will see one of these stamps. If you find the stamp, you are a step closer to knowing the current value of your silver.

Finding the Value of Antique Silver

Once you are certain you have a real silver, it is time to know your antique flatware worth. An expert will be needed to ascertain the actual worth but you can make some progress on your own.

Antique silver flatware patterns are necessary to get the significant information that can let you determine the current worth of the silver or make an estimation that is close to the actual value. You will also need to find out the manufacturers of the silver. Asides from the sterling stamp, silver items have hallmarks that you can use to know the manufacturer and other important information like the date it was produced.

When you know the pattern and the manufacturer of the silver, you can check the retail price for replacement pieces online; you can also get detailed information about the age and value of your silver from most of these sites.

There are several websites with resources that can help you figure out the current market value of your silver. You can also use antique appraisers and dealers to help you with it but make sure whoever you are dealing with is reputable.

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Valuation of Antique Sterling Silver Flatware

Guide to Identifying Silver Flatware Marks: Everything You Need to Know

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Sterling silver flatware is one of the most commonly collected items due to the vast availability arising from the Renaissance time period and sets being handed down from generation to generation. For hundreds of years earlier during the Middle Ages,the way people ate was not as important as finding the food to eat. After trade began to open back up and the arts and sciences were rebirthed, utensils for eating became a part of the revitalized culture.

Flatware was a canvas for artistic expression and a way to show off new found wealth. Over the years, new designs were breathed with creative inspiration and distributed across the world into almost every home. The peak period of sterling silver flatware was between the years of 1840 through 1940, yet the tradition of gifting flatware is still customary today.

The Artistic Nature of Sterling Silver Flatware

Silversmiths identified their work by marking each piece with their maker’s mark. As their reputations swelled we are well acquainted with some of them today:

Lenox Gorham
Reed and Barton
Tiffany & Co
Whiting

And then there are the names of the silversmith legends that are known for not only producing some of the finest silver pieces; their marks set the standard for collectors all around the world:

Paul de Lamerie
Hester Bateman
Paul Storr

silver flatware stamp

Valuation of Antique Sterling Silver Flatware Marks

In addition to Makers’ marks, there are many other marks that tell the story of each piece or set of flatware and help to determine its worth much like art is today. Many of the famous names in sterling silver craftsmanship established their own firms to continue on their legacies. Complete sets from one of these firms may bring more at auction or individual, highly sought after pieces handcrafted from Gorham himself may bring the higher dollar value.

It all depends on the makers’ marks in addition to marks that are rarer than others. Some marks were only used for a short period of time. As a result, there are fewer pieces in circulation. Some pieces were also stamped with a duty mark to show taxes were paid on the piece, as silver pieces were seen as minted currency throughout much of history and subject to taxation. Pieces stamped more than once are considered rarer and hold more value.

Valuation of Antique Sterling Silver Flatware

Other factors include pieces that no longer have a place in our society such as a fork specifically for nuts or a stuffing spoon. With some sets containing hundreds of pieces compared to our modern 20 piece sets, it is hard to imagine what all the pieces were used for yet to a collector, each piece is significant.

The display of marks on sterling silver flatware can be as diverse as the designs themselves and include much more information than just who made it. It takes a devoted professional to identify and valuate each piece or set. If you have any flatware you would want to know more about, we are always happy to take a look and let you know if your items are worth appraising.

History Behind Silver Markings

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Uncover the fascinating history behind silver markings at our blog. Our guide explores the development of silver markings and their importance in identifying the age, maker, and origin of silver items. From the earliest hallmarks to modern-day assay marks, we delve into the intricacies of silver hallmarking and decode its various symbols. Our expert historians offer valuable insights into the context of silver marks and their role in the silver trade. Read our blog now to discover the rich history and significance behind silver hallmarks and become a knowledgeable collector or seller of antique silver.

Silver Markings – Silver has been mined from the earth for thousands of years. Old World silver and silver markings have been traced back to modern day Turkey, as early as 4000 BC. But it wasn’t until around 2500 BC that we have solid accounts of the first sophisticated mining and refinement process of the precious metal known as “cupellation.” Since that time, civilizations have risen and fallen, each leaving their own characteristic imprint on silver before it became a valued currency in America. Due to the wide variability in purity, integrity and origin silver markings were developed to distinguish and verify each piece.

The Importance of Markings

Silver Markings

One of the most imperative distinguished to make is whether the piece is sterling silver or if the piece is merely sprayed with a layer of silver atop another, less valuable, base metal, known as plating. Once you have determined if the piece is sterling or plated silver, other markings denote such valuable information such as:

– Makers Mark; this is usually denoted by the silversmiths initials of the first and last name
– Firm Name; often added along with the Makers Mark
– Date; usually just the year the piece was crafted
– Assay; this mark proves the piece was inspected and verified. It may also contain an additional standard symbol to denote purity. Silver is a soft metal and even sterling has a small percentage of another metal to give it strength.

Silver markings not only help collectors to identify key characteristics of the piece for valuation, they divulge a rich history, and to a collector, that is of great worth.

Silver Markings across Civilizations

Identifying the markings on a piece of silver is quite the task as there are hundreds of different symbols. Each civilization has created their own stamp and that stamp has evolved as different authorities have altered the design for various purposes such as taxes or even pride. Tracing them can be difficult for many reasons. Sometimes the pieces are well worn and the stamp has become hard to distinguish to an untrained eye. There are often minute details separating an assay’s mark, such as a small number or letter that helps to determine the value based on purity. Even if the markings can be clearly established, some of the registration records have been destroyed, making complete identification almost impossible to achieve in some cases.

No matter what type of piece; coin, flatware, tea sets or candelabra, there will be markings on it. If there are no markings, the piece is not valuable and could be fraudulent.

Each nation still has an abundance of well-documented markings to make identification possible, even if some of the markings have faded away with time. If you have a silver piece you would like to know more about, contact a knowledgeable professional who is familiar with the different eras and aspects of markings. The markings are what determine the value of your piece so it is important to have it identified correctly, whether you want to have it appraised for insurance purposes or if you are looking to sell the piece.

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Antique Silver Tea Set Markings

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Understanding the hallmarks on an antique silver tea set is an important part of determining its value and authenticity. It is always best to consult with a professional appraiser who has experience with antique silver pieces to ensure an accurate assessment.

Hallmarks can be a bit confusing at first, but with some research, it is possible to identify them. They typically include letters, symbols, and numbers that provide information about the maker, the city or country where the set was made, and the silver content.

For example, the hallmark “925” indicates that the piece is made of sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver. The hallmark “EPNS” means that the piece is silver-plated, while the hallmark “Coin” means that the piece is made of a silver alloy that contains a high percentage of actual silver coins.

It is important to note that the absence of a hallmark does not necessarily mean that the piece is not valuable. Some antique pieces were made before hallmarks became mandatory and some makers chose not to use them. In these cases, a professional appraiser can help determine the authenticity and value of the piece.

Tea sets made from silver are quite the addition to an enthusiast’s collection. Whether you set it on display or gently use your antiquated set on special occasions, knowing as much as possible about the tea set will bring it back to life. But how do you know what your set is worth and where its story begins? There are many books that catalogue the various antique silver tea set markings, but seeking a knowledgeable professional will save time and money.

Where to Begin

The short story is that the first silver teapot that we know of is dated only to 1627. The cups and saucers that complement the teapot weren’t even considered until 1648. To get a better understanding of why silver tea sets are not much older despite the precious metal being mined and refined for thousands of years to that date, you have to look at the history of tea.

Silver tea pot with stamp

Tea has its origin as a medicinal drink in the Orient. While many myths date the source of tea back to 3000 BC, the official story dates the birth of tea to the Han Dynasty, sometime during 206-220 BC. They used porcelain bowls, lacking in the handles we think of today. Sometime during the Song Dynasty, 960-1279 AD, the first tea pot for brewing emerged. As tea became more and more popular, making its way into different parts of the world through trade, the tea set began to emerge into what we know it as today. But tea was expensive to drink. Records indicate that one pound of tea was worth $100. It is no surprise that tea sets were only held by the wealthy enough to afford the affluent brew.

Origin of Antique Silver Tea Set Markings

It is when tea made it to Europe and the British monarchy around the turn of the 18th century that the silver tea set was revealed in all its propriety. Queen Victoria unveiled the first known complete silver tea service set that included the full six pieces of the teapot, sugar bowl, kettle, creamer, coffee pot and bowl for waste. As a result of an abundance of silver from a recent silver boom, silver tea sets began making their way across the parlors of society’s affluent. These handcrafted sets were subject to the establishment of the hallmarking system set in place a few hundred years earlier.

There are usually two to four markings stamped onto the set to denote a few distinguishing characteristics. The first being whether or not the set is sterling or silver-plated. As tea became even more popular, tea sets were manufactured using a less expensive method of silver plating so the middle classes could enjoy the beverage.

Another marking would tell you who made the piece and another would show when it was made. An assayer’s mark will reveal where the piece was assessed for purity and duty marks will show if a tax was paid to the crown or not. Sometimes more than one duty mark was stamped to show the tax paid multiple times.

There is a rich history to tea and the birth of silver tea sets. The place to start in revealing the history behind your antique silver tea set is to have it assessed by a professional appraiser.

Christofle Silver Plate Marks

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Silver plating was a revolutionary innovation that was both developed and perfected by Christofle company founder C. Christofle. With silver plating, it suddenly became possible to democratize the trade of silversmithing in order to make beautiful silver pieces more affordable for customers. With silver plating, customers who had previously coveted items in the Christofle line, but were turned off by the price had a way to get the pieces they loved.

Silver plating was the heart of the Christofle legacy, and it could be used for every product category except for jewelry. However, even with silver plated items, it was still important that pieces be easily identifiable as part of the Christofle line. That’s why the company chose to use special hallmarks indicating the manufacturer and the amount of silver in the plating. Today, many customers have questions about the items in their collection and the amount of silver they contain.

 Standard Full Mark

The first Christofle standard full mark was used from 1841-1862. Sometimes referred to as the “CC” oval mark, this silver mark consists of an oval with a balance and the image of a bee in the center. On each side of the balance is a capital “C,” and the two letters stand for Charles Christofle. This oval marking is usually accompanied by several other marks:

  • The inscription “Christofle”
  • A number referring to the piece number in the production line
  • A number representing the silver content, with each digit in a separate box

Christofle Silver Plate Marks

The Evolution of the Silver Mark

Beginning in 1862, a second standard full mark was used. The main difference from the earlier mark as that the “CC” mark was now put inside of a square box called the “poincon de responsabilite.” Instead of a bee, there is now an image of a rosette (flower). Another new element was the designation of the silver content in square-shaped boxes rather than the former lozenge-shaped boxes.

In 1935, Christofle introduced the third standard full mark. Instead of using the initials “CC,” it now contained the initials “OC.” The OC refers to “Orfevrerie Christofle” or Silversmith Christofle. The “OC” marking is enclosed in a lined regular box.

Silver Marking

Antique Silver Dealers Can Evaluate Your Piece

If you have a Christofle piece and need to know its value, Florida silver buyers are a great resource to determine what exactly you have. At Antique Silver Buyers, we can evaluate your silver item or collection to determine its authenticity and whether it is sterling or plated. With a wealth of knowledge about silver plated hallmarks, we’ll give you an idea about how much your collection would sell for at auction. If you are in the market to sell your piece, this information will be valuable when you decided on a price.

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.

 

 

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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What Do the 750, 585, and 417 Markings on Gold Jewelry Mean?

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If you own any gold jewelry, you might notice that there’s a small number marked on it. Most people assume these numbers indicate the manufacturer or batch of jewelry, but they actually mean something completely different. Experienced gold buyers know exactly what these numbers mean, and they use this information when determining how much they will pay you for any jewelry you’re trying to sell them. Here’s a quick guide to these common gold markings.

 

A Measure of Gold Purity

These numbers indicate how pure the gold is. Pure gold is actually much too soft for jewelry and other items, plus it’s virtually impossible to get gold that has absolutely no impurities in it. That means gold traders and jewelers need some way of identifying just how pure the gold they’re purchasing is. The result of this need is the various markings you’ll find on gold estate jewelry and other items.

 

The formula used to determine these markings isn’t complicated, but it isn’t obvious to most customers. Gold is usually sold by the karat. Everyone knows that 24 karat or 24K gold is the highest form of gold you can get. It’s considered pure gold, though again, it’s not 100% pure. Instead, it’s .9999 fine.

 

Antique Gold Stamp

 

To determine how fine your gold is, all you need to do is take the caratage and divide it by 24, the maximum number of karats gold can have. For example, if you have gold that’s 10K, take that and divide it by 24. You’ll get 0.416 with a repeating 6. Round that up to .417, and you’ll find a number you often see stamped on gold.

Common Markings

Common Markings

 

So if the 417 gold markings on your jewelry indicate 10 carats, what do the other common markings indicate?

  • 8 karat gold – 333. It’s 33%, or about a third pure gold. Note that you won’t see this on jewelry made in the US, but if you have anything from Europe, you may notice this mark.
  • 9 karat gold – 375. Likewise, you won’t find any US jewelry marked with 375, but you’ll see it on British items.
  • 10 karat gold – 417 (sometimes marked as 416). All jewelry sold in the US must be at least 10 karats in order to be marketed as gold.
  • 12 karat gold – 500. You won’t see much 12K jewelry since it tends to be fairly dull in color.
  • 14 karat gold – 583 (sometimes marked as 585)
  • 18 karat gold – 750
  • 22 karat gold – 916 (sometimes marked as 917). Normally, 22K gold is too soft to use in much jewelry, but it’s often used for gold leaf or plating.
  • 24 karat gold – 999. Again, 24K gold is too soft for jewelry.

Related – What does “gold purity” actually mean when rated 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, and 24K gold?

How to Use this Information

Antique Gold Buyers

 

If you’ve been wondering, “What is 750 gold?” now you know. So, what can you do with this information? It’s really only useful if you’re selling gold jewelry. When you approach a antique gold buyer, knowing how pure your jewelry is will give you an idea of what type of offer you receive. If you get a low offer for something you know is 14 karat gold, you’ll know to turn it down.