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Silver Information

Silver has been in use since 4000BC and has been used for both practical purposes and ornamental. Not only are there different purposes for silver, but there are also different types.

If an item is marked Sterling, it means that the silver content is at least 92.5% silver. American silver usually has the word Sterling stamped on it whereas British silver may have either the word Sterling or the Lion Passant. Both indicate that the silver is at least 92.5% silver.

Coin silver was used before sterling silver in America. Coin silver is usually 90% silver.

In addition to sterling silver there is Sheffield Plate, Electroplate and German Silver. Sheffield Plate was one of the earliest types of silver plate. Sheffield Plate was copper with a layer of silver on the top and bottom so that the copper does not show. Sheffield Plate is quite collectible as it is quite rare. Sheffield Plate is no longer used as Electroplating took its place. Sheffield Plate is rarely marked and has a blueish tinge to it.

Electroplating is the process which involves taking a base metal, such as copper or brass, and plating it with silver. Electroplated goods are often stamped EPNS but there are some excellent silver makers which carried out these tasks and electroplated items can also be collected according to their makers.

German Silver actually contains no silver at all. German silver is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc.

Home » Silver Information
Spanish silver swordfish
Posted inSilver Information

Spanish Silver

Spanish Silver. Spain has produced high quality silver items for centuries. It can often be identified by the hallmarks which consist of an assay mark (Plata de Ley), town mark…
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Posted inSilver Information
Silver reales 1810
Posted inSilver Information Silver Items

Reales

Reales were minted in both Spain and Latin America from the 16th to 19th centuries in silver 1⁄2, 1, 2, 4 and 8 reales nacional and in gold 1⁄2, 1,…
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Posted inSilver Information, Silver Items
Silver cherub bookmark
Posted inBirds Silver Information Silver Items Subjects in Silver

Silver Bookmarks

Silver bookmarks. Bookmarks are an excellent choice for starting a silver collection. They can start at very low prices and come in a range of subjects. Many silver makers and…
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Posted inBirds, Silver Information, Silver Items, Subjects in Silver
Silver Singing Bird Box
Posted inBirds Silver Information Silver Items Subjects in Silver

Silver Bird Boxes

Silver bird boxes are exquisite collectibles. They are small musical boxes which have singing birds in them. Although they are normally rectangular in shape, they can also be found in…
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Posted inBirds, Silver Information, Silver Items, Subjects in Silver
Victorian Silver Flagon
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Victorian Silver

Victorian Silver. The Victorian era is named after Queen Victoria who reigned from 1837 to 1901. The era saw a wide range of styles during that time, from lavish and…
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
Silver mythological beast seal
Posted inSilver Information Subjects in Silver

Mythical Beasts

Mythical beasts come in many forms and different cultures represent them in different ways. Offering bowls often depict mythical creatures and many are made from silver. Mythical beasts is a…
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Posted inSilver Information, Subjects in Silver
Silver Baby's rattle
Posted inBabies / Children Wares Silver Information Silver Items

Babies Rattles

Silver babies rattles have fallen in price over the past few years but they are still collectible items. They can come in many shapes including animals and some have teethers…
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Posted inBabies / Children Wares, Silver Information, Silver Items
Silver camel timepiece
Posted inAnimals Subjects in Silver

Camels

Camels are often known as the ships of the desert and have been depicted in both Asian and European antiques. Camels have often given the impression of exotic places and…
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Posted inAnimals, Subjects in Silver
Charles Rawling & William Summers Silver Makers Mark
Posted inLondon Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Charles Rawling & William Summers

Charles Rawling & William Summers makers mark consists of the initials CR over WS in a square lozenge. Their marks have been found on snuff boxes, bottle labels and novelty…
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Posted inLondon Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
Richard Hodd and Sons Silver Makers Mark
Posted inLondon Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Richard Hodd & Son

Richard Hodd & Son made some exquisite silverware and silver plate, including some rare novelty silver mounted claret jugs, such as the monkey claret jug below. Their mark has been…
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Posted inLondon Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers

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