What do markings on silver mean?

What do markings on silver mean?

A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, and other (optional) markings to indicate date of manufacture and additional information about the piece. …

What are the symbols on sterling silver?

These are some of the most common:

• “Sterling”
• “Sterling silver”
• “925”
• “925/1000”
• “92.5% pure”
• Lion passant, or a lion with one paw raised, for sterling made in England.
• Thistle mark, for sterling made in Scotland.
• Crowned harp, for sterling made in Ireland.

  What does the crown mean on silver?

  A crown stamp on the bottom of a silver object indicates that it was manufactured in Sheffield, UK, prior to 1975. Such stamps are called silver hallmarks. Hallmarks disclose how pure the silver is and offer clues as to its manufacturer and place of origin.

  Does real silver attract a magnet?

  “Silver is not noticeably magnetic, and exhibits only weak magnetic effects unlike iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like,” says Martin. “If your magnet sticks strongly to the piece, it has a ferromagnetic core and is not silver.” Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of other metals.

  Can you sell silver-plated items for scrap?

  To cash in on your scrap silver plated items, you can easily sell them to your local scrap yard. Some scrap yards will be friendlier then others, so call ahead for pricing and to get a feeling for whether or not a yard seems understanding. Some scrap yards even have a special “silver plated scrap” price.

  What is the mark for fine silver?

  925
  Sterling silver (925): This is the standard for silver, identifying a silver item that is at least 92.5% silver mixed with copper to give it strength. Marks on these pieces include 925 or Sterling. Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling.

  What does the maker’s mark on sterling silver mean?

  There are guide books that can help you identify the date mark on most older pieces of sterling silver. The maker’s mark is a series of initials representing the name of the silversmith or company. They are set into a cartouche, usually the same as the other marks, but not always.

  What kind of Mark can you put on a silver coin?

  Any mark indicating a higher silver content, such as 950, would also qualify as sterling. Coin silver (900): Since it is only 90% silver, this alloy cannot be referenced as sterling. Items made from this alloy may include marks such as 900, C oin, and Standard.

  What are the four hallmarks of sterling silver?

  Essentially, all British silver manufactured after 1700 should bear at least four hallmarks. First is the lion passant mark, which is the sterling guarantee mark. In Edinburgh and Ireland, it is replaced with their National symbols, the thistle and the harp, respectively. This mark guarantees that the piece has been assayed as sterling silver.

  When did they start putting marks on silver?

  Many unmarked pieces of American silver were made by 1825. The pieces were later marked with the store name. By 1830 the words COIN, PURE COIN, DOLLAR, STANDARD, PREMIUM, or the letters “C” or “D” were placed on silver to indicate that it was 900 out of 1000 parts silver. The word STERLING was frequently used by 1860.

  What kind of Mark do you put on sterling silver?

  If a piece was made in a foreign country for import into England, it would include a maker’s mark, control mark and standard mark. But if a piece was made in England for sale at home it would require a fourth mark, a British assay mark. These changes may sound confusing at first, but are of great benefit.

  How are sterling silver hallmarks assayed for quality?

  Each item is assayed (tested) for quality, then marked with a series of 4 – 5 symbols, each in a cartouche of the same shape. The shape is used with letters to help date the item. The hallmarks will tell you if the item is sterling silver, what town it was assayed in, the date of assay and the maker’s initials.

  What does the 925 mark on sterling silver mean?

  Old time Scandinavian silversmiths used a lower content silver alloy to make their items, that is what the 830 means. Standard Sterling Silver has a 92.5 percent silver content with 7.5 percent of another metal added to it to strengthen the piece. Therefore, the most common mark for sterling silver is 925.

  How are sterling silver hallmarks marked in Great Britain?

  Look for hallmarks on the underside, rims, and handles of items. All of Great Britain use the same system to mark their sterling silver. Each item is assayed (tested) for quality, then marked with a series of 4 – 5 symbols, each in a cartouche of the same shape. The shape is used with letters to help date the item.