The maker or company name is usually stamped on the back of the piece along with an indication that it’s plated: In America, for instance, these marks are A1, AA, EP, or the full phrases “sterling inlaid”, or “silver soldered.” According to industry standards, AA has one-third as much silver used in plating as does A1
What do numbers mean on silver plate?
Authentication Hallmarks
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.
How do you read silverplate marks?
From left to right: maker’s mark =symbol of silversmith or company; assay mark=symbol of the city in which silver content was tested, leopard head shown is London; standard mark=lion passant (looking forward) certified that silver content was 925/1000. A fifth mark, not shown, is a profile of the ruling king or queen.
What is the stamp for silver plated?
Silver or Plate
If you see the letters EPNS or A1 on your item then it is silver plated. Your item will need to be hallmarked and carry very specific marks in order to be legally called silver. As silver plate was made for the mass market many items of silver plate do not have any value.
Can silverplate be hallmarked?
Silver plate items will not have a 925 stamp or a hallmark.
How do you read a silver number?
The first symbol you may find is 800, which is a number only used for silver and indicates that 800 parts in every 1000 are silver, or in other words, the silver is 80% pure. Moving up in fineness, the next symbol you will find is 925. This number indicates the metal is silver and that it is 92.5% pure.
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 A1 on silver plate mean?
silver plated
The “A1” mark is sometimes found on the reverse side of silver plated flatware and refers to the quality of the silver plate, i.e. “A1” is the best quality for that manufacturer. Lower qualities are usually referred to as “1” or “A”, “B” etc.
What does Z mean on silver?
In this case the letter ‘z’ (2) indicates it was assayed in 1874. The date letter changes every year so you can precisely date the year it was made. The maker’s mark (1) shows that it was made by Robert Thornton.
What does C mean on silver hallmarks?
“AA” or “A.A.” UNKNOWN QUALITY. “A” STANDARD QUALITY. “B1” UNKNOWN QUALITY. “B” THIRD QUALITY. “C” FOURTH QUALITY.
Does silver plated stick to a magnet?
Most silver plated items are made of silver-on-copper. So if a magnet ‘sticks’ to the item, it cannot be silver or copper.
What are the 5 standard silver marks?
Compulsory marks are the Assay Office mark, the sponsor’s or maker’s mark (at least two letters within a shield) and the Metal and fineness mark (purity in millesimal number). The use of the traditional fineness mark (lion passant, lion rampant, Britannia) and date letter is maintained only on a voluntary basis.
Is vintage silverplate worth anything?
Is silver plate worth anything? Silver plate cannot be melted down and re-sold as sterling silver can, which makes it less valuable than sterling silver. However, there is value in silver plated items which comes less from the value of the silver content than the age, maker and quality of the item.
Is silverplate worth anything?
Silver-plated items, on the other hand, are a different story. They are made mostly of copper and typically only contain 1% silver by weight. As a result, although silver-plated items are often bulky, they are worth very little. Many thrift stores won’t even accept donations of silver-plated flatware.
Is silverplate worth selling?
Since there is only a small amount of silver on each item, there is no melting value for the silverplate. Pieces that are more decorative, rare, and in good condition might sell for more money. Silverplate value is more about the antique market than it is about the metal market.
What is the Lion mark on silver?
The Lion Passant – This mark indicates the purity of the silver which is almost always 925 parts per 1000. In general (but not always) if your piece of silver does not have this mark amongst its hallmarks then it is likely not silver. Hallmark example, James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, Lion Passant, 1911.
What is the anchor mark on silver?
On English silver, a walking lion, or “lion passant” as it is called, indicates that an object is sterling; the anchor is the symbol of the city of Birmingham.
What does K mean on silver hallmark?
K.Ltd. Kirwan & Co Ltd (possibly) Birmingham 1944 hallmark. STERLING SILVER OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND COLONIES.
Can you test silver with vinegar?
Pour a tiny drop of vinegar on the scratch. You can use ordinary white vinegar that you already have in your kitchen. Observe the piece. If the spot changes color, then this isn’t silver.
Can you test silver at home?
Bleach Test
Bleach can also be used to check the authenticity of the silver metal. Just place a drop of bleach on the silver item. If it tarnishes after coming in contact with oxidising chemicals like bleach then it is real silver. Real silver will turn black when exposed to bleach.
How do you identify vintage silver?
The oldest form of consumer protection – hallmarking: Silver hallmarks are one of the most important factors in identifying all silver. Small, stamped symbols can tell you almost everything about a piece; where and when it was made, by whom, as well as the purity of the silver.