Silver hallmarks are one of the most important factors in identifying antique silver jewelry, flatware, and other items. These small stamped symbols on the back or underside of silver items can tell you the purity of the silver, the manufacturer of the piece, and sometimes even the date it was made.

How do you identify silver markings?

The standard mark identifies your item as being silver. The mark for sterling silver is the lion passant or the lion passant guardant. Both look like a lion in profile. On earlier pieces of silver the lion is looking toward you, and this is a lion passant guardant.

Does old silver have a hallmark?

The hallmarks on a piece of antique British silver typically signify (from left to right): the maker, the purity, the assay office, the date it was assayed and the duty mark (for items from 1784 to 1890). Image courtesy of I Franks Antique Silver.

Is vintage silver always marked?

By far the vast majority of qualifying items made in the US ca. 1860 to 1970–especially items made before 1940–are marked sterling or sterling silver. Many vintage marks, but far from all, include the name of the manufacturer. Very rarely are qualifying pieces of American silver from those years marked only 925.

How do you read Silver Plate marks?

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 ...

Introduction to Antique Silver Makers' Marks

How do I know if my old silverware is valuable?

Observe the Flatware Pattern

The pattern engraved into your flatware pieces may also help determine how much they are worth, as some patterns are rarer and may have a higher value. Pieces that have a family monogram or are marked with initials have a lower value, as it is harder to find a collector.

What do the symbols on silver mean?

Silver hallmarks are one of the most important factors in identifying antique silver jewelry, flatware, and other items. These small stamped symbols on the back or underside of silver items can tell you the purity of the silver, the manufacturer of the piece, and sometimes even the date it was made.

What if silver is not marked?

If it doesn't have a stamp, run a magnet around the pieces of metal. If it's attracted to the magnet, it's not sterling silver. Since silver oxidizes in air, try rubbing it with a white cloth and looking for black marks on the cloth from oxidation.

How can you tell if something is solid silver or silver plated?

Check the colouring of the item carefully; genuine silver is generally less shiny and colder in tone than silverplate. If you see places where the silver appears to be flaking off or turning green, the item is silver plated.

How do you date silver?

Your silver will have a hallmark called a date letter. This marking will tell you when it was produced. However, the date letters used differ depending on where the silver was assayed. For example, the date letter for 1898 in London is a lowercase c, but in Sheffield, it's a lowercase f.

What are the 5 standard silver marks?

There are 5 standard marks found on British Silver:

• The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England.
• The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow.
• The thistle for for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh.
• The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin.

What is the difference between sterling silver and hallmarked silver?

Instead fine silver is alloyed with copper to create sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. This percentage of fine silver is why you will sometimes see sterling silver referred to as '925 silver' or hallmarked with a 925 stamp.

What hallmark does solid silver have?

"The words ”silver" and ”sterling silver" describe a product that contains 92.5% pure silver. Silver products sometimes may be marked 925, which means that 925 parts per thousand are pure silver.

Does all silver have a hallmark?

So investment silver does not have to be stamped. Any other items, as detailed in the earlier section of this page, are legally required to be stamped however. Many dealers won't buy silver items if they haven't been stamped, and a lack of silver hallmarks could denote a fake item potentially.

How do you test silver with vinegar?

Some people try to save money by using vinegar instead of acid but vinegar won't give you accurate results. For this test, you just put a drop of acid on your silver item. If the acid turns the wrong color then it's fake. If it turns the correct color then the silver is real.

What's the number for real silver?

The stamp 925 is used to identify genuine sterling silver jewelry, which contains 92.5% silver.

Is real silver always stamped?

1. Does Silver Always Have a Stamp Mark? In most countries, precious metals such as silver or gold must always have a quality stamp to mark its authenticity. The markings for a silver sterling are usually done with a 'sterling' or a 'ster' mark to indicate the presence of 92.5% silver or close to pure silver.

What Colour is antique silver?

Antique Silver is a metallic grey colour, created by layering silver and gold mix over a stippled silver base.

Does silver plate have a hallmark?

If your antique silver technique is truly sterling silver and not simply plated, it will be stamped with a telltale hallmark. Typically found on the bottom of the piece, a silver stamp may include: The words “Sterling Silver'

Does silver have to be stamped?

Q: Should Real Silver have a Stamp? A: Yes. In the United States, silver items should have 925 stamps to protect consumers. It is illegal for items that don't meet these standards, such as fake silver products, to have the 925 or 'sterling' stamp.

How can you tell real silver from fake?

Bleach Test: Real silver tarnishes very quickly, whereas many of the metals commonly used to fake it do not. So, place a drop of bleach on the piece and then wait. If there is an immediate reaction, with the piece tarnishing and blackening, then you may have real silver on your hands.

How can you check if something is real silver?

The Nitric Acid Test is used to check if silver is pure or plated. To do so, file a small part of the item in a discreet area where it cannot be seen. Apply a few drops of nitric acid. If the area turns into creamy white, the silver is pure or sterling.

How do you identify hallmarks?

The four components of a hallmark are: the sponsor or maker's mark, the standard mark, the assay office mark and the date letter for the year. Hallmark identification should answer four important questions - where; what; when; who. Where? Locate the assay office.

What does WH mean on silver?

WH into a rectangle. William Hall (possibly)

What does 3 crowns mean on silver?

Salad sets in this style are most often silver plate. If the salad set bears a three crown mark that looks like this then it is solid silver of at least 830 fineness.