What is Nickel Silver?
Hi, I am wondering whether there is any value in recycling flatware that’s marked nickel silver, Panama silver, Brazil silver, Yukon silver, or Alaska silver? From Brandon in Wichita, Kansas
Hi Brandon,
Thanks for your question.. Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but ironically it actually contains no elemental silver.
Nickel silver is different from plated silver in that nickel silver is not plated with silver and does not contain any real silver at all. Plated silver is metal that is actually covered in a very thin layer of silver. EP and EPNS are other markings that indicate plated silver.
Given that nickel silver has no actual silver content, it is not worth anything to precious metal refiners. Unfortunately, there is nothing of value to extract. With that being said, your pieces still might be worth something if you try to sell them on eBay or to a scrap metal dealer. Good luck!
If you have questions about silver war nickels visit our blog post “Silver Recovery from War Nickels”
Or visit our website for silver items that are valuable for their silver content on our Silver Refining webpage.
Tags: nickel silver, Silver, silver tableware
March 23rd, 2011 at 4:40 pm
The flatware that I have is by Eldan, and is labeled “Silver Nickel” not nickel silver. You said there was NO silver in nickel silver. Is there a difference? This tarnishes and polishes up the same as silver and silverplate.
Thank you, from Birmingham, Alabama.
April 28th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
a lot of silverplated will sell as “clean brass” seeing how as that is usually what is underneath,ask your recycler, but mines buys it as clean brass, about 1.95 a pound
June 11th, 2011 at 11:05 am
I have some solid brazil silverware and would like to know the value of it. I have 6 knives, bread knife and spoon, 6 spoons and 6 forks.
Thank you kindly,
Pam