Antique Silver

ANTIQUE SILVER FAQs

How can you tell if Silver is Antique?

Generally, it is harder to date Silver based just on its style as some classic designs have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The presence of hallmarks on solid silver however makes it easier to date than many other collectables. Every country has its own hallmark standards and have been using them for different lengths of time. Here is the UK ours has been going since the 13^th Century and we began dating our silver in 1478. If hallmarks are present then in the UK the different picture code will tell the maker, date and where it was assayed. There are lots of websites available to help you read the hallmark. If the item is unmarked then the piece will need to be loosely dated based on its form, style, and any other elements used such as clasps or bone handles. 

Are Silver spoons worth anything?

People have been making cutlery (including spoons) out of Silver for many hundreds of years not just because of the status symbol of Silver, but because of the anti-bacterial properties of the metal too. If the spoon is made of Solid Silver then the value of the spoon will at minimum be the current scrap price of Silver. This rate changes each day and can be looked up easily. However, on top of the base value we also add value depending on the age, rarity of the design, maker, assay office and more. Therefore while most Silver spoons may only be worth a few tens of pounds, the best are very valuable . Two examples are a single rare Henry VIII Apostle spoon which made £22,000 at auction in 2022 or a Paul Revere silver spoon which made $26,000 in 2021.

How to value silver?

The value of a Silver object is determined by the current scrap price of the quantity of Silver used plus cultural rarity. As Silver objects are usually made of a combination of pure silver and other metals such as nickel, it is important to know the Silver purity of your item. Common grades are 99.99%, 925, 800, 750….and all the way down to very low-grade mixes. A lot of Silver is hallmarked helping you to look up the maker and date to research the piece but be aware not all silver is marked either because certain countries have not traditionally marked their silver, the amount of silver used is below the minimum amount that needs to be hallmarked (in the UK that is 7.78 grams), or its age means it was made before the marking regulations were tightened up. Silver plate is merely a thin layer of silver on top of a base metal and is usually worth much less than solid silver. These pieces are commonly marked EPNS sometimes to look like hallmarks.  

How to clean silver?

Silver is quite a soft metal which tarnishes (oxidises with exposure to the air) easily. Cleaning should be done regularly but gently as strong chemicals and abrasives will wear away the item which will detract from its appeal and value. Cleaning regularly with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush to get into those tiny crevices is fine, and commercially available Silver Polishes together with a soft cloth remove the tarnish and bring the sparkle back. If the item has very detailed chasing or engraving and Hallmarks then it is best to clean these areas only gently as the details can be easily worn away.  

Is EPNS worth anything?

EPNS or Electroplated Nickel Silver emerged in the 1840s as a cheap alternative to solid Silver. Because it merely contains a thin coating of silver over the piece its value is based on the aesthetic and practical appeal of the object rather than the materials used in construction. It has also been produced in very large quantities so tends not to be rare. However, while silver plate is intrinsically cheaper than solid Silver, in decent condition it can still be worth sensible money to people who enjoy using these items on a daily basis. It is best to look online to get a sense of the current values for different items.