Value of Silver Plated Flatware
I have a sterling silver plated large serving tray and 2 wine goblets. What would the dollar valve be? – From Karen in Southern California
Hi Karen,
I am sorry to tell you that we do not buy plated silver items because the silver is plated too thinly to return any money based on the precious metal content. You would be better off trying to sell these items as a serving tray and goblets.
Silver plating techniques have become very advanced so that the plating manufactures use the smallest amount of silver possible to get the desired silver sheen. Many times the silver plating is so thin that it can be scratched off by hard objects such as a coin or paperclip.
If you have a silver item that you don’t know is plated or silver, we recommend running a strong magnetic over the items. Precious metal is NOT magnetic, so if the magnetic sticks then your items do not have value based on their precious metal content. Find out more about our silver refining services on our website found here: http://www.archenterprises.com/
Tags: plated silver, Silver, silver tableware, silverware
April 29th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Interesting reply. So if I understand you..
IF the magnet DOES NOT stick to the item in question it has enough silver to refine and if the magnet DOES stick to the item in question it is of NO refining value.
I have two piles in front of me right now.
The right pile sticks to my magnet. So it has no refining value.
The left pile does NOT stick to my magnet. So it HAS refining value.
If I understand it correctly you’ve been a big help.
Thank You,
Nick
May 7th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Hi Nick,
Thanks for trying out our magnet test. However this test cannot stand alone to determine if your items are a precious metal, and further it can not determine the amount of precious metal your items might contain. This is a good START to determining if your items have refining value. You would be correct in that your pile that DOES stick to the magnet does NOT have value to refine, because precious metals are not magnetic.
The pile that is not sticking to your magnetic could have value, however if your items are not marked or hallmarked, we would test them to determine the amount of precious metal available to refine. At least now you can rule out the magnetic pile and focus on finding out if the other non-magnetic pile has refining value.
Thanks!
July 31st, 2010 at 10:14 am
i read your coment above to check with a magnet. now i am really confused, i have a punch bowl, 12 cups,
laddle and tray by wallace grand barough and on it says silverplated but it does not stick to a magner.
can you please provide any info on this subject.
thank you.
August 31st, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Hi Diane,
Not all silver plated items will stick to a magnet. This is just a simple test to use on items that are not marked at all.
Regardless if your silver plated items are magnetic or not, silver plated items do not contain enough silver to refine.
Hope this clears things up for you. Thanks!
September 30th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
For silver-plated items, what would likely be the base metal if non-ferrous? Certainly the value wouldn’t be close to that of silver, but if you get enough brass, copper, or nickel it would be of some value (by the pound).
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:40 pm
I have 3 lg spoons, 2 sm spoons, 5 lg forks, 3 sm forks, and 4 knives that have a eagle then wm rogers then a star then IS on them. I am trying to figure out what I have here. They do not stick to a magnet. I have looked and looked all over the web trying to figure out what they were and if they were worth anything. Could you please help?
May 3rd, 2011 at 11:16 am
Hello @Dana. More info about your Wm. Rogers spoons can be found here: http://www.precious-metal-refining.info/precious-metal-refining-blog-value-of-rogers-bros-sterling-silver-dinnerware/ Unfortunately we cannot say for certain the grade of your silverware based on the information you have provided. If your pieces have passed the magnet test you could send us one of your pieces to test for you. Give us a call if you want to set something like that up. Find our number here: http://www.archenterprises.com/contact-us.asp. Thanks!
May 12th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I have flat ware that was handed down to me from my Great-Great Aunt. It has Reed and Barton printed on it, but it does not specify whether it it silver-plated or silver. Also, a magnet will NOT stick to it. I’m pretty sure myself, that it’s silver-plated. Any other simple trick to know for sure?
Thanks!!
May 16th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Hi Melissa,
Unfortunately there are not any simple tricks to knowing what type of metal you have. We recommend the magnet test as only a starting point to eliminating possibilities. A local jeweler or pawn shop might be a good place to start. Also try doing some research online. Reed and Barton makes several patterns. Try finding the one you have to see if it is sterling. You can post an image on our form here, http://www.precious-metal-refining.info/submit-question/ and we would be happy to post it for you to see if anyone else can comment on it.
Thanks for reading!
August 19th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
If you are trying to identify patterns and possible value for your silver-lated flatware. I took a sample of all my handed down sets of silverplate to a copy place and copied the front and back of each sample item (so everything is legible–pattern and maker’s marks).
I then sent them to Replacements and they identified the patterns for me. I could then see what the buy and sell rates were.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
i have a fairly large trophy cup, 17″ tall, made early 1920′s by wallace bros. in wallingford conn. it has a v 9335 stap. how can i determine what silver content it has?
September 6th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
How can I pass the middle man and go directly to seell silver and not to jewelers Thanks Jack
September 7th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Hi Jack,
Working directly with precious metal refiners allows you to pass the middleman. Places like pawn shops or jewelers may buy your items, but not tell you that is it just for the precious metal value. Make sure that you only want to sell your items for the precious metal — then give us a call of request an estimate! http://www.precious-metal-refining.info/request-estimate/
September 27th, 2011 at 9:19 am
i have an 6 piece flatware set that says on the handle prestige plate.it does not stick to a magnet . where do I take this stuff to be sold or can they melt it down as I have several piecesz of other items that I need to get rid of. thank you.
September 27th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Greetings @Diane. As mentioned in previous posts, we cannot refine plated silver. However, a collector may be interested interested in your set. Look into reselling on places such as eBay or Craigslist. This post could be of service as well: http://www.precious-metal-refining.info/sterling-silver-flatware-refining-example-precious-metal-refining-blog/
October 6th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
I have a 1881 Wm. A. Rogers, Limited Oneida LTD. Successor, Sherrill, NY on the back of the piece it say 1881 Rogers AA heavy The paper work I have says it has a heavy deposit of pure silver on the finest 18% nickel silver base. they have alkso added a heavy overlay deposite of pure silver on the back of the staple and most0used pieces where most wear comes. Is there any value in this full set of table wear? thanks you.
October 7th, 2011 at 8:52 am
Hi Susa,
We do not pretend that we are antique dealers or experts in the markings and brands of silver. Without actually testing your pieces it is hard to say exactly what they would be worth based on the silver content.
However,the “overlay of pure silver” that you describe sounds like silver plating. Which we cannot refine. Also a “nickel silver base” does not contain any silver and we do not refine nickle silver either. (see a blog post reference link below).
With that said, a precious metal refiner may not be the best place for you to sell. I would say taking your pieces to resell as a full set of tableware, with your paperwork, that you may get some resale value out of it, not based on the silver value. Hope that helps!
http://www.precious-metal-refining.info/what-is-nickel-silver/
February 14th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I have a 12-piece set of unopened Noble Prestige silverplated flatware purchased in 1970 housed in its original case. I am aware it is not “silver”, but what would be the price for such a set intact?
Also,
I have four “sterling” silver spoons, actually indicating “sterling” on the spoons. Approximately, how much would be the worth of these items?
Also,
Found several, I think silver-plated flatware with the name “Community” written on each item. It looks at though it is an 8-piece set. Here again, what approximately value?
Thank you for your assistance.
Ann
May 2nd, 2012 at 7:21 am
I have two sets of plated silver faltware; one prestige plated and the second is Original Rogers plated. Neither stick to a magnet. Are they worth selling?
June 18th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
hey there i have a 10piece silver plated trays and what not it has the year 1847 along with roger bros. i want to know if it has any value ive tried stickig a magnet to it and it does NOT stick. if it does have value , whats its value aproximately. . .
July 8th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I have 12 place settings of Community Silver Plate flatware. Excellent condition. I would like to sell it. Don\’t know where to begin.
July 9th, 2012 at 11:07 am
@Mary
Although we do not buy silver plated flatware, you may want to look into seeing if there is value beyond the silver content. Take into consideration the collection value, rarity, and age. Places like eBay would be a better option for you. Good luck!
August 4th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I have several spoons that were my grandmothers. 4 are Wm A Rogers AA grapefruit spoons, 1 “richmond” on back coin silver, 1 “Ritz-Carlton R 5″ They all pass the magnet test, but I don’t know if they are silver. Can you help me?
August 21st, 2012 at 11:40 pm
I have a 12 piece setting of rogers silverplate from the 1940\’s. The pattern is called aurora. Is it worth anything to a jewlery store or scape metal yard or antique store?
August 24th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Hi Kathy! Thanks for your question. Because what you have is not ideal for a refiner, you have to think about things like rarity, condition and collection value. If you items are not in good shape than they may not fetch anything at an antique store. However, if you don’t mind the work of taking them to an antique dealer, it may not hurt to have the appraise. Otherwise, a scrap yard may be your best bet if you just want to get the material off your hands. Sorry we can’t help more!