What to Do With Your Sterling Silver Flatware

If your family is like many others, silverware sets are often passed down from generation to generation. For previous generations, these were considered a family heirloom—items to be cherished. But today’s younger generations have less interest in keeping them. They take up space and require polishing as they tend to tarnish over the years.

Many people don’t realize that these sets can be quite valuable, so if you have a set that you are not interested in keeping, it’s worth your while to look for a buyer. The price you might be able to get for a silverware set will vary, depending on the following factors:

• Age
• Weight
• Design
• Current market price

If you are determined to sell your sterling silver flatware rather than pass it down to future generations, here are some tips.

Sterling Silver or Silver Plated

You will need to identify whether your set is made from real sterling silver or if it is made with different metals and the silver is plated over it. You can figure this out by taking a look at the markings from the manufacturer on the individual pieces. Those pieces that are silver plated are sometimes marked with “silver plate,” “plated,” “EP” for electroplated, or “EPNS” for electroplated nickel silver. But even if there is no marking, this points to the likelihood of the pieces being silver plated. That’s because sterling silver flatware will be marked with the word “sterling” or “star.” The number 925 is often stamped—particularly in pieces made in foreign countries—on sterling pieces. This number refers to the 92.5 percent concentration of silver in sterling silver pieces.

If you learn that your set is silver plated, your best bet is to just keep the set and use it since it has little value. 

The Value of Your Sterling

Even if you discover your flatware is sterling silver, this does not necessarily mean it’s worth a lot of money. There are other factors to consider when placing a value on it.

• The condition of the pieces will impact the value. Damage to the set beyond small scratches and dings can mean a much lower value. Tarnish does not count as damage as that can be removed.
• Rare or old designs can add to the value of your silver. There are resources available that can help you determine the style and age of the pattern. Silverware sets that are monogrammed might not be worth as much assets that are not.
• The market value is an essential part of what you’ll get for your silverware set. Weigh your silverware set in ounces, which will help you determine its value. 
• If you have a complete set versus individual pieces, this will probably have a higher value, although you can still make money.

A Sterling Silver Buyer in Your Area

When you want to get your sterling silver set appraised, we invite you to contact Mile High Coin. Our precious metals specialists can evaluate your set and give you an idea of its fair market value. Give us a call or fill out the form on our website to set up an appointment!