Silver Polishing Day - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 653
thq Pillar of the Community United States 3248 Posts	Posted 04/19/2025 6:19 pm I guess this fits as a bullion-related topic. Flatware is not as highly regarded as other forms of silver by buyers, though a fair amount of what I have came from metals dealers or ebay liquidators. Not usually the best pieces, though some of the modern Towle and Wallace patterns are very attractive. The cost of replacing one of these pieces with a new one would be 5-10x the scrap value if the pattern is still available. One great thing about silver is looking at it, shiny and white. But after a couple of years in open air display it needs a repolish. It doesn't retone into nice rainbows the way collectors like on coins. At best it takes on a gold tone, at worst it gets splotchy and dark. Some pieces, especially those from the early to mid 1700's, get a gun metal dark tone which cannot be removed easily with silver polish. The few silver cups/canns I have are the toughest of all. It took about half an hour and it's good to go for another couple years. I also have several pieces that I never polish which I use for eating utensils. Their appearance is immaterial to me. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire Edited by thq 04/19/2025 6:28 pm Report this Post to the Staff

ratman4762 Pillar of the Community United States 2261 Posts	Posted 04/21/2025 10:00 am I guess it's the lack of ease in storing. Hey, silver is silver. I say, If you get it for a good price, why not? I have several tubes of sterling medals, easier to store than flatware, but same deal. People would rather put their money into circulated 90% than uncirculated .925. Go figure. The only silver I ever polished were a couple rolls of nasty black 40% Kennedys I picked up roll searching. Must've been stored somewhere damp. The polish/cleaner I had laying around the house probably belonged to my Grandmother (it was ancient) but a short soak made them presentable to sell. Report this Post to the Staff
thq Pillar of the Community United States 3248 Posts	Posted 04/21/2025 11:55 am I use sterling all the time for meals. The fork tines and spoon bowls turn grey in use. My mother used to polish her sterling, but only got it out for holidays. I figured what the heck. It's nicer looking than our stainless even unpolished. We also use the old holiday China every day. The only problem is the gilt decoration, which gets sizzled in the microwave. Now and then a piece of sterling falls into the disposal and gets mangled. I was surprised at how much I got for a couple of wrecked teaspoons. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire Edited by thq 04/21/2025 11:56 am Report this Post to the Staff
ratman4762 Pillar of the Community United States 2261 Posts	Posted 04/21/2025 2:21 pm Quote: I was surprised at how much I got for a couple of wrecked teaspoons Silver is silver! After my 1st wife came into and went from my life numerous times..................I took my 14K gold wedding ring and pounded it flat with a hammer so I wouldn't be stupid enough to put it back on again. Put it with my scrap gold and sold it when it was time to sell. Guy looked at it with his loupe and it passed his inspection. That was about 25 years ago. Report this Post to the Staff
Silverskunk Valued Member United States 264 Posts	Posted 04/25/2025 02:58 am My buddy is selling a beautiful silverware set passed down from generation to generation. It originated in the 1920's. It really is stunning stuff that was stored right and polished up well. I almost bid on it but would rather put my money into bullion, since my budget is limited and I have no real use for the set. Still its a reminder of a more dignified age. Its a pity it will end up melted down. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 162762 Posts	Posted 04/25/2025 09:52 am Quote: Its a pity it will end up melted down. Indeed. On the bright side, it will all get melted down in a few billion years. Coin Collector Since 1978 My Avatar My Old Avatar My 7070 My Eisenhower Dollars CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
glenmorenee Valued Member United States 234 Posts	Posted 04/25/2025 1:31 pm One of life's little pleasures is to use silver plate or sterling for everyday use. They only need a touchup a few times a year. A quick dunk in silver dip is all that's needed or take out the polish if you really want them to look spectacular. Back in the day (1980's) they offered 100 year warranty and you could send in stuff to get replated. But nobody honors that guarantee anymore. Report this Post to the Staff
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