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Posted 12/04/2012 12:26 am
I have to admit that I am unfamiliar with the marks, but
it looks like an American version of Sheffield plate to me.
Even IF it is solid (.900?) silver, think VERY carefully before sending it to melt. It should be valued at FAR more as an antique silver item at an antique auction.
If it is a version of Sheffield plate, you would be foolish to sent it to melt anyway. It would still be valued at far more as as an antique item than as a melt item.
Either way, it should be able to generate some interest at an antique auction, without yourself really trying to find out how the item was made. The auctioneer, if honest, should tell you, AND accurately describe it in a sale catalog, for the benefit of the bidders.
The downside is that good auctioneers can charge up to 20% of the value for their services.
With Sheffield plate, a small amount of natural alloying takes place at the base metal / silver interface. With this type of tableware the small accessories are usually cast and electroplated, before being silver soldered to the item.
It is quite possible that the base metal is German silver (60%Cu, 20%Ni, 20%Zn), and not copper. Natural alloying still takes place at the base metal / silver interface.
it looks like an American version of Sheffield plate to me.
Even IF it is solid (.900?) silver, think VERY carefully before sending it to melt. It should be valued at FAR more as an antique silver item at an antique auction.
If it is a version of Sheffield plate, you would be foolish to sent it to melt anyway. It would still be valued at far more as as an antique item than as a melt item.
Either way, it should be able to generate some interest at an antique auction, without yourself really trying to find out how the item was made. The auctioneer, if honest, should tell you, AND accurately describe it in a sale catalog, for the benefit of the bidders.
The downside is that good auctioneers can charge up to 20% of the value for their services.
With Sheffield plate, a small amount of natural alloying takes place at the base metal / silver interface. With this type of tableware the small accessories are usually cast and electroplated, before being silver soldered to the item.
It is quite possible that the base metal is German silver (60%Cu, 20%Ni, 20%Zn), and not copper. Natural alloying still takes place at the base metal / silver interface.
Edited by sel_69l
12/04/2012 01:00 am
12/04/2012 01:00 am
