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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,658 |
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
Went yard sellin' this week and ran into a lady selling a full flatware set out of coin silver. Up until this point I had never heard of it and passed on it. however I did some research and it seems that they may be 90% silver. is there a way to determine authenticity without acid? I see no mint marks other than a name which has been now to do coin silver. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
I know guys that can tell by feel -- they say the silver is warm -- but aside from maker's marks, I dunno.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
648 Posts |
yes ..silver has the highest electrical conductance and heat transmission of all the metals! :)
so with sensitive hand and practice warm although I have heard some people say cold lol ;)
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Valued Member
United States
368 Posts |
the COIN hallmark is just as safe as STERLING hallmarks....i would trust it...how much money for the set?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
If it had the highest heat transmission, it should feel cold because it will pull heat from your hands. I don't know if it'd be perceptibly different from other metals
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
It warms quickly. That's why many old medical instruments were made of silver -- comfort.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
Look for "Sterling" or ".925" on it. If there are no markings such, it is most likely plated ( no value) silver. The blades of knives are steel, are a pain to remove, portions of tongs etc. may also be steel.
When doing your calculations before buying, find out what your local silver dealer will pay for sterling. Mine won't take such things as candlesticks, etc. without just about sawing them in pieces, as often not solid throughout.
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Valued Member
 United States
397 Posts |
Desert - Early coin silver pieces had no markings on them,which this appears to be, thus my problem. I'm getting silver acid here in a day or two so I'll be able to go that route.
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
coin silver typically can be 800-900, occasionally 925. Refiners and large brokers understand it, otherwise you'll have a resale problem.
What was the outcome?
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Valued Member
344 Posts |
I just got 2 rings last week marked 925 Lowlife. Both where fakes lol. Cant always trust 925 or sterling.
Also when I go to garage sales I have a scale and a bottle of silver test just incase rofl.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
Thats a good idea to carry arounnd some acid, but I dont think the owners would like that.
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
bigfredd is right as far as the markings go. 800-900 is another marking on silver objects people need to look for. I just recently purchased a ring that was 900.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1502 Posts |
Silver also have a "ring" to it, much higher pitched than steel, lead, etc.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4008 Posts |
Quote:
Silver also have a "ring" to it, much higher pitched than steel, lead, etc. It sure does. If you flip a silver coin using your thumb and forefinger, it will ring like a bell. Has to be a hard flip, though. Cupro-nickel junk coins will not. Also, if dropped onto a table our counter top, silver coins will ring but junk coins will not. Not that too many coin sellers want their coins dropped like that.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1502 Posts |
The Chinese (pre 1930s I think) have a silver coin with a nick name that reads "dragon's call" very loosely translated. If you hold the thin silver coin with the nails of your thumb and forefinger, and blow on the coin, the coin will vibrate and give off that tell-tale ring
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,658 |
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Posted 07/03/2011 7:51 pm
