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 Replies: 22 / Views: 4,423 |
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Valued Member
Australia
165 Posts |
Hi,
I have about 12 kg -14 kg (26lbs - 30lbs) EPNS and solid silver cutlery and pieces of tableware. I am thinking of getting it smelted and turned into bars and then having all different types of metal bars copper, silver etc.I know I would have to pay a bit for it to be smelted but could you make your own bars or would it be best to get it done?
What do you think I should do? smelt it or sell it?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
Wow--14kg of solid silver is almost a monster box! If I was in your position, I'd research each option to exhaustion and then go with the one that paid the best.
You don't mention anything about the pattern or maker of the cutlery and tableware. You may (or may not) have more antique or collectibility value than just
mere melt value. You need to do some serious homework before making a move here.
Good luck with your happy research project. Enjoy it!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
EPNS = Electro Plated Nickel Silver
Silver plated over copper nickel core.
Separate the hall marked solid silver cutlery from the EPNS cutlery.
Unfortunately, there is only the very thin silver plating on the EPNS cutlery, and as scrap, is worth next to nothing.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
@sel---Now I know what EPNS stands for! Thanks.
Oh, well--anyhow--my thoughts above still apply to any solid silver (even if it isn't nearly a monster box)...
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I just did a quick calculation.
Even if it was ALL copper nickel, and ignoring the value of the silver plating,
at 14 kgs
$84 worth of copper and
$60 worth of nickel
is still over $140 in metal scrap. That IS significant. I stand to correct myself.
All you have to do now is find a buyer.
The value of 14kg of sterling silver would be around $12,000.
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Valued Member
 Australia
165 Posts |
ok Well I will sort through it and separate it all, also I know you can tell with a magnet if its silver but how else with the epns
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
I'd like to add my two silver cents, 1st...30lbs need to be converted to troy pounds, most scales are reg weight.which should be around,24lbs 10.24 ozs. 2.Sterling Silver is 92.5 % which needs to be converted to .999 price.. 3. Silverware knife's blades are normally stainless steel, which wieght a lot, needs to be ajusted or taked apart for the handles, which should be sterling.. I just went through this and was given another set to sell for a friend, he has nearly 350 ozs..old sterling set...  |
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Valued Member
Australia
165 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Be very careful when it comes to selling hallmarked sterling silver for melt.
In many cases, it can return much more money in it's existing form at the right antique auction.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1795 Posts |
As far a smelting it yourself you can do it but it would cost you a small fortune to get the equipment to do so. $5-10 thousand. Its dangerous and I wouldn't do it in your garage or basement. Also that if for scrap that is already silver not plated.
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Valued Member
Australia
165 Posts |
Ok I sorted through it I believe I got all the pure silver stuff and ended up with about 1.5 kg of silver maybe abit more if I went through it with a fine tooth comb.
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Valued Member
Australia
165 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
It seems that the total metal value would be around $1700.
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Valued Member
Australia
165 Posts |
So what about the epns stuff, the small silver content would be a few ounces so it would be above that and also the copper and other metals. What would be the best way of turning it into bars I am in Australia and not sure who to go to do it.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
The EPNS may be a tough call. The amount of silver plating would be considered negigible by a scrap metal merchant, and he would consider refining costs that HE would have to meet. You would need to 'phone a scrap metal dealer to find out.
I emphasise that the hallmarked sterling silver could bring more money than just silver value at an antique auction.
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Valued Member
Australia
165 Posts |
I checked one of the pieces and it was from 1866 and By HL HL
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Replies: 22 / Views: 4,423 |
Posted 04/04/2013 07:10 am
