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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 » Page 13
London Leopard with crown Assay Mark
Posted inSilver Hallmarks Silver Information

Birmingham Hallmarks

Birmingham Hallmarks. The Birmingham assay mark is an anchor. It is placed on its side if the metal is gold or platinum. The date letters began in 1773 and the sovereign's…
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Posted inSilver Hallmarks, Silver Information
Miniature Gothic Triptych Shrine
Posted inSilver Information Styles / Periods

Gothic Silver

Gothic Silver. The Gothic style first appeared in the 12th century in the area around Paris. In architecture, Gothic buildings employed a variety of new techniques to pierce walls with…
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Posted inSilver Information, Styles / Periods
Jacobean silver chalice Thomas Buttell
Posted inSilver Information Styles / Periods

Elizabethan and Jacobean Silver

Although Elizabethan and Jacobean silver was mainly used for ecclesiastical silver and coins the rapid growth in population and expansion of the middle and upper classes lead to a significant…
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Posted inSilver Information, Styles / Periods
York Assay Office Mark circa 1791
Posted inSilver Hallmarks Silver Information

York Hallmarks

York hallmarks began around the mid 16th century. The York assay mark was initially a half leopards head joined with a half fleur-de-lys in a round shield. In the late…
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Posted inSilver Hallmarks, Silver Information
Adie Brothers Ltd Silver Makers Mark
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers London Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Adie Brothers Ltd

Adie Brothers Ltd is based in Birmingham, however, they also had their silverware assayed in London. Their hallmark was originally registered around 1902 as Adie Brothers but a new hallmark…
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, London Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
A Barnett Ltd Silver Makers Mark
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

A Barnett Ltd

A Barnett Ltd were silver makers who made a variety of items such as vesta cases, and clock cases.  
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
A & J Zimmerman silver makers mark
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

A & J Zimmerman

A& J Zimmerman was founded in 1879 by Arthur S. Zimmerman and John Ulrich Zimmerman. It was registered as a limited company in 1902, and finished trading in 1930. Some…
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
Yapp & Woodward Silver Maker's Mark
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Yapp & Woodward

Yapp & Woodward were Birmingham Silver Makers. At one stage they were partners with Joseph Willmore. They were renowned for making Visiting Card Cases.
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
Walker & Hall, silver makers mark
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers Chester Silver Makers London Silver Makers Sheffield Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Walker & Hall

Walker & Hall were Sheffield Makers specialising in silver and silver plate from the mid 1800's. Assay marks also found for Birmingham, London and Chester
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, Chester Silver Makers, London Silver Makers, Sheffield Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
S Blanckensee & Sons Silver Maker's Mark
Posted inLondon Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Solomon Blanckensee & Sons Ltd

Solomon Blanckensee & Sons Ltd was founded in Bristol in 1826. In September 1863 the firm moved to Great Charles Street, Birmingham where it's first mark was entered. It was…
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Posted inLondon Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers

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