An inherited canteen of cutlery, a tray, a teapot, some tumblers: antique silverware is often passed down without anyone knowing its true value. Solid or plated, antique value or metal value? Here is how to find your way before selling.
Solid or silver-plated: the first question
As with any silver object, everything depends on the fineness:
- Solid silver (800 or 925): real buyback value at the weight of pure silver, guaranteed by a hallmark (crab for 800, Minerve head for 925/950).
- Silver-plated (métal argenté): a base of common metal coated with silver, with no metal value. Many beautiful branded canteens of cutlery are made of it — see solid silver cutlery and silverware and solid or plated silver.
Reading silverware hallmarks
Antique silverware often bears several hallmarks: fineness, master silversmith, sometimes period or import marks. Look for them under the bases, on the back of cutlery, under the handles. A magnifying glass is helpful. Details in solid silver hallmarks and the article on 800 silver.
Antique value vs metal value
This is the key point of antique silverware:
- The metal value = weight of pure silver × current price, minus a margin (as for any buyback).
- The antique / collector value can exceed the metal value for rare, signed (great silversmiths), old or perfect-condition pieces.
⚠️ So do not melt down a potentially rare piece: have it appraised first. An ordinary piece sells by weight; a sought-after piece deserves an evaluation by an antique dealer or auction house.
How to appraise and sell
- Sort solid (hallmarked) and silver-plated.
- Identify potentially collectible pieces (signatures, rarity, condition).
- Have them appraised: ordinary solid silver at the weight of pure silver (buyback), remarkable pieces by a specialist.
- Group ordinary solid silver with your other objects — the process is the same as for selling your silver jewelry and the buyback.
In summary
- Solid (crab/Minerve hallmark) = buyback value; silver-plated (métal argenté) = no metal value.
- Some pieces have an antique value higher than the metal: have them appraised.
- Look for hallmarks under the bases and on the back of cutlery.
- Ordinary solid silver is bought back at weight of pure silver × current price.
To appraise your silverware, request a free estimate, with no obligation.
This article is informational and does not constitute investment advice.