Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----
Sterling silver vs. silver plate -- How to tell?
Quickstart:
If it's marked "Sterling" or "995", any 'We buy Gold' shop will want it. If it's not, odds are high that it's silverplate.
Silverplate is thin, so it has no intrinsic metal value. It was a very popular wedding gift for decades before going of fashion, so there is a lot of it out there, unwanted, in people's attics & basements. Enjoy it and save it for the great grandkids, but the great majority of it can't be sold for much if anything.
This meeting place welcomes Q&As, photos, history, & interesting tidbits -- but it's not a consultancy.
Please engage with others
• When people show interest in each other's situations, the forum is informative, and fun too !
• If people post their own question but show no interest in others', it can quickly become a long string of unanswered questions
Q. I have a large serving platter marked BSCEP 7813/30, and
STERLING SILVER MOUNTS
Berry & Whitemore co.
I'm very confused with the "mounts" bit. I assume that it's plated, but which part and which part is sterling.
How much silver does this tray have (I definitely don't need a mathematical breakdown, just a point and define) Please help, my blonde moments get me frazzled.
Artist - East wenatchee, Washington
June 25, 2024
Berry & Whitmore Items on eBay (affil link)
Q. I have a collection of about 8 or 9 spoons they are very shiny but yet have natural tarnish to them. I have a photo I will attach if I can figure that out, but my question is: it says Baroque by Godinger and it has a © symbol next to the name.
But I cannot find 925 or sterling silver; still, I don't think Baroque has fake anything. I know they have silver plated but it passed the magnet test. Can anyone help me with these and identify if they're real I'll go to a 'We Buy Gold' place soon but I was curious if anyone would be able to help me
- Delray Beach
August 15, 2024
Baroque by Godinger flatware on eBay (affil link)
A. Hi Malacai. They are almost surely silverplate because all Baroque by Godinger that I can find is. Unfortunately, a magnet only determines if an article is made of iron or steel, and virtually no flatware is.
Baroque is fancy and pretty, and even though it has no intrinsic metal value, people like it. I don't think I'd call silverplate 'fake' -- famous sculptures aren't fakes just because they don't have much intrinsic precious metal value :-)
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
⇩ Related postings, oldest first ⇩
Q. I bought a silver tray at a yard sale. It was badly tarnished so I cleaned it. It reads Early American, then the IS symbol, then International Silver Company, a number 4133, and 18 IN. How can I find out if it is real silver or silver plated? It has no EPNS or EP on the tray to indicate that it is plated, but it also does not say that it is sterling.
consumer - Woolwich, Maine
2005
by Odegaard, Caroll, Zimmt
on AbeBooks
or eBay or
Amazon
(affil links)
A. You can try with magnifying glass -- if your tray is plated, hue of pure silver and nickel silver is visibly different.
Plating must be worn-out on some places! If you want to be sure you can test it with nitric acid -- put just one drop on back of your tray: green colour = copper, brass or nickel silver; cream colour = silver or silver alloy. Rinse it well! Good luck!
According to Odegaard, Caroll, Zimmt, "Material Characterization Tests for Objects of Art and Archeology", London 2000 ⇨
Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
Q. My father has a silver serving tray with those exact markings (Early American, International Silver Company, 4133 18 in). Have you found out any other information about it? -- such as value or it's origin. Thanks,
Oh, by the way. I was looking at the one my father has and it is well used. It is definitely plated. My father found his in the middle of two walls during demolition of a house in Corpus Christi, Texas.
James E Cain
- Boise, Idaho
2006
Silver Trays
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi folks. Sorry to be the messenger, but those trays aren't worth anything. There currently are 4 for sale on eBay ranging from $9.99 or best offer to $25 or best offer.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 7, 2023
Q. I too purchased a silver tray at a yard sale. It is stamped on the back: Line 1-Crescent
Line 2-some type of animal head,
another head of some bird
Line 3-1672EH
Do these markings tell if it is real or not?
Beverly Mason
- Keokuk, Iowa
May 23, 2008
by Diana Sanders Cinamon
on AbeBooks
or eBay
or Amazon
(affil links)
A. Hi, Beverly. I think you may need to borrow from the library or buy some books on "Hallmarking" because there are not a handful of hallmarks, but tens of thousands. Markings never prove that something is valuable because they can be forged, but they can tell you that it's not. It's like if you're handed a $100 bill then you need to be quite careful that it's real, but if it's a $1 bill you can be very confident it's real because nobody counterfeits singles :-)
Good luck!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I just purchased a pair of silver candlesticks from an online auction. I was told that the candlesticks are made by Forbes Silver Co of Meridian, Connecticut. The pattern on the candlesticks is Burgundy or Burgundy Grape. They are marked on the bottom with the numbers 1732 & 1733. The seller said that the candlesticks were made in 1841 and that they are in good shape. However, I am concerned that these are silver plate rather than sterling silver since there is no marking that specifically says "Sterling" or 92.5. How do I tell whether these are actually sterling silver? Is there a standard indicating that sterling silver must be marked as sterling or marked with the silver content?
Alicia Torry
buyer - Houston, Texas
July 30, 2008
Forbes Silver Candlesticks
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi.
I don't think there is a legal requirement, but if something is Sterling a manufacturer will generally mark it as such. Further, most Forbes silver stuff is silverplate. I doubt that it was manufactured anywhere near 1841 -- 1930 sounds more likely -- but a photo emailed to mooney@finishing.com for posting here might get you a better answer.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have a serving tray that has "Godinger" on it and it is very heavy. It has clusters of grapes on it. Is it the real thing and how do I tell the difference. Thanks
Leigh Hall
- Virginia.
August 1, 2008
A. Hi. It's true that a small sterling jewelry article might not be marked for two reasons:
1. Because it could detract from the appearance.
2. Because if a piece is marked "sterling" we need to be able to trace who asserted that claim, which in turn means you can't put that on it unless you have your own registered mark and put that on it too ... so very small custom jewelry outfits might not want to bear the cost & paperwork of registration.
(thanks to Yahoo answers at answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071126222513AAAky9v)
But if a tray is sterling it will almost surely be marked as such. What manufacturer would try to sell a tray at the price he needs to charge for sterling silver, and have the public think maybe it might only be silverplate?
If you are unconvinced you can take it to a "'We buy gold' or test it yourself (test kits are inexpensive and readily available), or pay to have it assessed. Good luck, and pray for a small miracle :-)
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have 53 pieces of silverware which my father had. It is stamped International silver co. and USN on one side and an anchor on the other. It was used on the USS WASP and given to my father. Is it sterling silver? I can find no markings to determine if it is. Thanks!
Bill Ford
retired - Nashville, Tennessee
October 19, 2008
USN Silverware (Anchor Stamp)
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi Bill. My bet is that it is silverplate not sterling silver, but what's the difference? You're certainly not going to melt it for its silver value.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I am looking to find info on a mark on a silver pitcher. The top is removable with holes in it. The first mark on the left is a double lined cross, on the right next to that is a crown with the letters LBSCO on top of the crown, below the crown is " N. 6." under the N & 6 is the numbers 1806, next to the crown is a coat of armor or coat of arms mark with a 7 in it. Do you know the maker of these marks? Thank you for your help.
own a resale shop - Dahlonega, Georgia
January 15, 2009
Q. Kim in Georgia:
I too am looking for the same markings on a set of candlesticks purchased. Stamped on the bottom with the same cross, crown, and coat of armor...LBSCO stamp with numbers. Did you find out if it is silver or plate. They are beautiful. Where are they from? What about your pitcher?
Lynn Ladner
- Louisville, Kentucky
June 4, 2009
Q. (response to Kim Padgett) I have a silver tray that has the same markings as one that has been listed but a different number stamped on it.
Hobbyist - Mississippi
April 7, 2022
Q. Uncovered these twelve "Brismaid" forks with a stamp next to it with "Bell Quality". No sterling or otherwise mark. I can't find out much and hope someone can tell me if I can retire or keep digging.
Jim Fisher
salesman - Albuquerque, New Mexico
March 12, 2009
Q. Silver napkin ring engraved 1886, has a 105 inside with a S. Can anyone tell me what the 105 means? and where it might be from, Thanks!
Carrie MacAvoy
hobbyist - Tburg, New York
April 1, 2009
Q. I have this serving tray that has the markings of Old London with the numbers 1832 By The Frank Herschede Co. Cincinnati, Ohio and has the letters EPNS and has 3 symbols indicating a head, a crown and a weird shaped S.
I would like to find out more information on this piece.
Alana Ward
Hobbyist - Maysville, Kentucky
September 26, 2009
Frank Herschede Items
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi, Alana. As noted in the original question, EP means electroplated, that is, silver plated. EPNS would mean electroplated nickel silver (there is no silver in nickel silver though). This tray is probably worn down to the nickel silver in some areas, and the copper plating (below the silver plating) in most areas.
Try to find the history of the piece (that is always the first question on Antiques Road Show), and get several books about silver hallmarks from your library, and maybe you'll be able to make some progress. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I cannot find these marks anywhere. I have an old tea kettle from my mother and would like some help identifying.
- fort worth Texas USA
November 14, 2010
A. Hi Susan. Another forum [www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4979] says it's Barbour Silver Company, Hartford, Connecticut -- which merged into International Silver. These silvermarks were supposedly used into the 1920s.
It's probably silver plated "nickel silver" (there is no silver in nickel silver). Sorry, but such items are invariably of no sale value.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Can anyone identify this mark?
buyer - Simi Valley, California, U.S.A.
November 30, 2010
Q. I was watching Storage Wars one evening, and one of the couples took in an antique (silver?) makeup mirror to see if it was worth anything. The man in the store said that silver smells sweet, whereas silver plating has a sulfur smell to it. Could you tell me if this is true or not.
Ruby Anderson
Skilled Labour - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
April 24, 2011
Hi Ruby Anderson:
I just finished cleaning a silverware set given to us by my father-in-law. I think you answered my question--silver or silver-plate? While soaking in salt water on aluminum foil, I kept thinking I smelled sulfur. Must be true … definitely did not smell sweet.
Jane Dub
- Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
A. Hi. I don't think I believe that. The tarnish on silver, whether sterling or silverplate, is a sulphide. As you remove it I would expect that you'll smell sulphide.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I bought a silver serving tray at a garage sale...I cleaned it up and discovered it has ASCO stamped on the bottom. I know that means American Silver Co. which was later changed to International Silver and that it would have to be made between 1901 and 1935 to have the ASCO name. It is silver plate over copper. ...very large, 15 1/2 inches with a braided edge and handles. It has an engraved flower pattern with a place in the middle for monogramming.....I am looking for somewhere to research it. I am at a loss to find much information on ASCO
Debbie McFarlin
owner - Chandler, Oklahoma
September 12, 2011
Q. Hi my name is Bob and my wife has an old teapot and tray that she thinks is Sterling Silver. I don't think it is. Here are the marking on the bottom of the pot. Sheets Rockford S.Co 1875 and 302 on it. What does that mean? I think if it was Sterling Silver it would say Sterling on the bottom right. Thanks.
Bob
Bob Nodolf
Homeowner - Janesville, Wisconsin USA
September 13, 2011
A. Hi.
We've had low success rate on such questions, Bob. The reasons are probably mentioned in Hallmark books, but it's hopeless to guess the composition of an item from numbers they could mean anything. 1875 is probably when this "Sheets Rockford S. Co." was founded, not when the tray was made. Although it's possible that 302 means it's made out of type 302 stainless steel, I strongly doubt it. It's probably "style 302", but possibly item #302 of a limited pressing. Sorry. I think you have to either test it or invest substantial effort into the study of Hallmarking.
I see a "Sheets Rockford S.Co 1875" tray marked "25" on eBay for $6, so I doubt that it's valuable. The seller thinks it's silver plate but doesn't guarantee it. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Hello...I have a set of Alvin Silverware, George Washington pattern. I am trying to determine if it is sterling or silver plate. The word sterling is stamped on the back. I looked at replacements.com. The set has the old knife and the work pattern and silver is stamped on the back of the pieces.
I would appreciate any information.
Donna Ekstrom
hobbyist - Middletown, Pennsylvania USA
October 6, 2011
George Washington by Alvin Silverware
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi, Donna.
What alternate theory would explain them being stamped "Sterling" if they're not :-)
Silver doesn't sound valuable enough for a counterfeiter to fool with altering a set of old flatware.
It sounds like replacements.com has the same pattern but in silver plate rather than in sterling.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have a silver tray 14 x 3/4" tall my mother in law left to me. I was cleaning it today and on the bottom I uncovered a mark. which says Forbes Siver Company. In the center is an eagle and the #95 under it also I think it says quadruple.
Is this tray worth anything for the silver content?
Alice Resue
hobbyist - Wolcott, New York USA
November 2, 2011
A. Hi, Alice.
The photos you sent were unfortunately out of focus and the markings are a blur. They probably wouldn't have helped anyway as there are thousands of hallmarks and no hallmarking experts standing by :-(
But since there is no "Sterling" mark on it and because "quadruple" probably means quadruple plated, my guess is there are no substantial or recoverable silver values. Sorry.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have a Forbes Silver Co Teapot, an antique handed down in my wife's family from about 1867, They are all Scots and part of the Forbes clan. It has a crest and warranted 965 stamped on the bottom. Plus maker marks. It has a sterling silver body and a silver plated brass feet, spout and handle. It really was used, so much so there are patches inside from washing the silver away. If it is not marked with a silver content or a Sterling Hallmark, it is more likely silver plate than Sterling silver.
Rudy Lanzendorfer
- Camino, California
January 9, 2012
Q. I have a 18 inch silver platter. It has the markings of Rondane Meriden SP CO International S Co #4169. It is non-magnetic. I tried the acid test on one of the feet and it came up a creamy color. I took it to a silver exchange and was told it can't be solid silver. There is no ware marks on it. It does have scratches but the all polished to the same silver color. Is this tray worth anything?
Jenice Ritter
- Benson, Arizona, USA
February 17, 2012
Q. Hello. I am so glad this site is here.
I have a cigarette lighter (vintage/antique) that says EP Sterling the EP is kind of weird but I am thinking this means electroplated but why then would the word sterling still be present?
My question is: is this sterling? I have checked hallmarks everywhere and my only conclusion is that it is electroplated but that does not make sense w/ the word sterling
Any help would be grand.
Thanks in advance.
Sarah Kettle
- Plano, Texas USA
March 11, 2012
A. Hi Sarah.
Does the lighter have any gold plating on it? This marking is often used on jewelry that is gold plated sterling silver.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. My husband and I have a silver serving tray that has the hallmarks for Forbes Silver Co. We cannot find any other markings that would say it is plated or real sterling. How do we find this out?
Wendy Smith
- Seymour, Tennessee, USA
April 11, 2012
A. Hi Wendy.
This question was already at least partially answered above.
In addition, Forbes Silver Co. was reportedly established for the purpose of making silver plate, and it's not marked Sterling or 925. You may see hints like a faint coppery look in heavily worn areas that would indicate that it is plated. You can look for similar items on eBay .
You can have it tested or test it yourself but, sorry, I think you'd be clutching for straws.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Hello! I picked up a double sized table silver spoon that has Large U.S.N. underneath on the top part of the handle. There is a small crown stamped at the base on the bottom backside of the spoon. Could it be Sterling?
Michael Lant
- San Luis Obispo, California
April 22, 2012
A. Hi Michael. Anything is possible, but if they didn't bother stamping it Sterling or .925 then it sounds unlikely.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have a small creamer. It is marked on the bottom INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO. Hilton 6-C-115 5 oz. and the number 73 in a small square. It's very heavy, it's not marked sterling or silver plate it has small dents but shows no signs of wear or any plating coming off. can you help me figure out if its silver or tell me anything about it. thank you Nancy
Nancy Hurst
- Belleville, Illinois
June 15, 2012
Q. Is my International Silver Co. A Sheraton Hotel 56 oz. numbered bowl solid silver?
I have a silver bowl, it is numbered and says International Silver Co. A Sheraton Hotel 56 oz.
And it also has 63 inside a box next to the weight. A magnet does not stick, but that doesn't tell me anything. I would so appreciate any good advise. Thank You
Cristi Jones
- Lott, Texas
June 22, 2012
Q. I have I think is a gravy bowl the trade mark reads
Early American International Silver company. It also has in the trademark, a IS, it also has the number of 2116.
Vicky Weaver
- Whitinsville, Massachusetts, America
September 7, 2012
Q. I have a pitcher that has a symbol stamped on the bottom, made in England, and 24.
Amy Gage
- Flower Mound, Texas, USA
November 13, 2012
Q. Hello I have several antique pieces that were bequeathed to me. They are at least 60 years old as they were wedding gifts in 1952. I have a 1. sugar and creamer sorry no tray with markings Wm A Rogers (in a box) then underneath SP Copper B.M MTS 2936 2. an oval tray with scrolling on top on the bottom it has Essay Canada E.P. Copper 612 3. oval tray with different scrolling on bottom it has Puritan Plate S.P. Copper 8010 and 4. a round plate on a mound with decorative handles the plate has scrolling on the bottom it has Puritan Plate S Copper Lead Mound 80156. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about these pieces so I know what I have.
Thank you
Flora Rhodenizer
- Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada
December 23, 2012
Q. I just bought in a thrift shop a large serving tray. It is beautiful. It has braided handles with a basket weave design around the inside of the tray. There is fruit on both sides of the tray. Strawberries, oranges, grapes, pears which are raised up. It is marked Gorham on the back. There are no numbers or other markings on this piece. It is not tarnished in any way. Do you know what this could possibly be? New, old. It does not say plated anywhere either. Just Gorham.
Karen Morgan
- Woodbridge, New Jersey, USA
December 30, 2012
Silver Trays
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi Karen. If it's not marked "Sterling" it's probably silver plate, or maybe just nickel plated. If you send a photo, there's a one in a thousand chance someone will be familiar with it; with only a verbal description, unfortunately it's about one in a million :-(
Please look for similar items on eBay , where prices of trays that match your description run from about $5.95 to $595. Good luck with it.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. My silver finding. Is the Goldinger silver mirror comb real silver?
Miguel Boza
- West Palm Beach, Florida
February 11, 2013
A. Sorry, Miguel, but I strongly doubt it.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. A flea market find Is a 7" International Silver Co. tray with # 05101 Palmer House and small square with 59 in it . I would like to know age & silver content. Google was useless as was International Silver Co. web site.
Thomas Hourigan
- Holland, Pennsylvania USA
March 28, 2013
A. Hi Thomas. "Palmer House" is probably the Palmer House in Chicago, but my googling doesn't seem to indicate any special market for Palmer House items. When a tray is not marked "sterling" it is almost surely just silver plate. And I doubt that anyone short of an expert who specialized in International Silver brand silver plate could help you identify, let alone evaluate, one particular piece of silver plate out of probably thousands that I.S. made (I doubt there is such an expert because who can make a career of consulting on whether things are worth $1 vs. $20).
I think the best plan is to look at similar stuff on eBay . You don't need to find an exact match to get a feel for 7" silver plated trays. There are pay-to-play sites where you can look up prices that items sold for, but it doesn't seem worthwhile to join those sites for an item that almost surely can't be worth $50. If you look more carefully and it says "sterling", that's a different story, of course. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I found a silver wine glass; it is stamped on the bottom International Silver Co. and a symbol also a c with a circle around it. Help please.
Angela Farley
- Pell City, Alabama, US
June 27, 2013
Q. Hello,
First, I'd like to thank you for providing advice online.
Yesterday, I found a neat 8 oz. teapot at a Garage sale. It states on the bottom the following:
International Silver Co
Silver Soldered
05002
8 oz. (then in a square the number 24)
(a small triangle then the number 7 to the right of the triangle)
Patented
August 27, 1918
Then at the bottom, it is stamped as follows:
T
15
Nina Rash
- San Leandro, California, USA
September 1, 2013
Q. Ted,
In regards to my neat little teapot I found (written on September 1st, 2013), do you think it has any value?
I appreciate your help.
Nina Rash [returning]
- San Leandro, California, USA
January 31, 2014
A. Hi Nina. I'm only the webmaster, not an antiques expert, but I think it has no value because virtually no such silverplate has any value. Apparently it was a very common and inexpensive wedding gift in the 30s, 40s & 50s and there is loads of it out there. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but see "What to Do with Plated Silver", where you'll hear that it sometimes can't be sold for $1 at charity auctions because nobody wants it ... but times change and your great grandchildren might :-)
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I found a silver on copper -- what I would call a creamer cup for a tea set -- with the letter S stamped on the bottom of it- there Is no circle around the S or any other markings that I can find except the words silver on copper.
Can anybody help me?
Marvin Nealy
- St.Charles, Missouri
December 24, 2013
A. Hi Marvin. I'm not sure what info you are looking for, but in the 1930s through '50s such items were inexpensive and extremely popular wedding gifts. There are tens of thousands (probably more) of styles of silverplate, so a random "s" stamped on it won't take you far. But such items have no intrinsic value at all, and the chances are almost zero that they have any collectibles value either. Very sorry.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have a Crescent 8 in. tray with 3 logos on the back, 1) is of a lion. 2) is of a crescent moon & 3) is a swan like bird w/ a crown on its head and the number 1672 E underneath it. Can you tell me if it's sterling or plated silver the year and what it could be valued at.
Thank you,
Kellie Hemminger
- Oroville, California USA
February 22, 2014
A. Bad news, Kellie. Regarding the hallmarks, do a Google or Bing image search for "Crescent Silver Marks" and you'll see what you described, and they will lead you to eBay and similar. It doesn't say Sterling, so it almost surely isn't. It's probably one of millions of old silverplate serving pieces; odds are 99.44% that it's worthless. Sorry.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I found what I assume to be a tea pitcher with 8 spoons attached all the way around the sides. On the bottom it has the Forbes Silver Company stamp with Quadruple 543. I cannot find any information or photos of this.
Any help would be appreciated? I know it was my great great grandmother's.
Deb Adler
- Greeley, Colorado USA
April 13, 2014
A. Hi Deb. It's plated pewter or nickel-silver (which contains no silver) and it has no intrinsic value. Most serving pieces have no collectible value either, although this is unusual looking and looks very old, so I can't rule out that someone somewhere might want to go to the cost of having it replated. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Best website I have found is:
www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html
I've had great success locating the hallmarks (symbols) at this site.
A heads up for all that are in search of answers if it does not say Sterling or 925, there is a very strong possibility that it's plated.
Bruce Swing
- Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
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