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How to Find and Identify Silver Flatware at Thrift Stores and Estate Sales
December 16, 2021
I’m a huge thrifter. I go to Arc every Saturday when it’s half price day. In the summer, I go to garage sales and estate sales looking for hidden gems and awesome deals. You’d be surprised how much ‘junk’ isn’t really junk. You just have to know what you’re looking for.
Take silver flatware for example. There is money to be had with these precious heirlooms absently placed in an estate sale or donated to a thrift store. Mile High Coin is eager to buy your silver flatware along with coins and jewelry. You just need to know what to look for when you’re out thrifting for bargains.
First- when it comes to flatware, if it’s sterling silver, there will very likely be a maker’s mark somewhere on it. For this reason, it’s a good idea to bring along a magnifying glass and a flashlight to make finding this mark easier. You are going to be looking for a number. This number tells you the percentage of real silver the piece contains. Mile High Coin states that sterling is silver that is 92.5% pure with the remaining 7.5% copper. If there is no mark, chances are it is not real silver, so move along to your next find.
Next - if it’s an authentic antique, it’s going to show some ware from the years it was in use. This lets you know that it is not new and could indeed be valuable. This is a good gauge of quality since sterling silver and silver substitutes age differently. Things to look out for are chips or marred edges as this is a sign that it is a silver substitute and not real sterling silver. Also, notice differences in color on the flatware as this is a sure sign that it is a substitute. If there are no chips or marred edges, and if the flatware is all one color, hooray! It may well be authentic sterling silver and you will want to snatch it up.
Next - Try buffing it out with a white, nonabrasive cloth, so be sure to bring one along with you on your thrifting trip. If a black mark appears, you know you’ve got the real deal. Generally, stainless steel will not leave any kind of mark and this will let you know to carry on.
Then - If all of these tips line up and the price is right at your thrift store, garage sale, or estate sale, it’s time to buy. It’s best, of course, if there is a complete set, but often partial sets or individual pieces can sell for a pretty penny, too.
Once you’ve purchased your silver flatware set, it’s time to find a buyer to sell your collection. You don’t need to look any further than Mile High Coin. When you bring your silver flatware to Mile High Coin they can assess its value and give you a fair price for your finds. You win if you paid anything less than what they quote you because you did the dirty work of thrifting and identify sterling silver flatware on your own.
Go Back Take silver flatware for example. There is money to be had with these precious heirlooms absently placed in an estate sale or donated to a thrift store. Mile High Coin is eager to buy your silver flatware along with coins and jewelry. You just need to know what to look for when you’re out thrifting for bargains.
First- when it comes to flatware, if it’s sterling silver, there will very likely be a maker’s mark somewhere on it. For this reason, it’s a good idea to bring along a magnifying glass and a flashlight to make finding this mark easier. You are going to be looking for a number. This number tells you the percentage of real silver the piece contains. Mile High Coin states that sterling is silver that is 92.5% pure with the remaining 7.5% copper. If there is no mark, chances are it is not real silver, so move along to your next find.
Next - if it’s an authentic antique, it’s going to show some ware from the years it was in use. This lets you know that it is not new and could indeed be valuable. This is a good gauge of quality since sterling silver and silver substitutes age differently. Things to look out for are chips or marred edges as this is a sign that it is a silver substitute and not real sterling silver. Also, notice differences in color on the flatware as this is a sure sign that it is a substitute. If there are no chips or marred edges, and if the flatware is all one color, hooray! It may well be authentic sterling silver and you will want to snatch it up.
Next - Try buffing it out with a white, nonabrasive cloth, so be sure to bring one along with you on your thrifting trip. If a black mark appears, you know you’ve got the real deal. Generally, stainless steel will not leave any kind of mark and this will let you know to carry on.
Then - If all of these tips line up and the price is right at your thrift store, garage sale, or estate sale, it’s time to buy. It’s best, of course, if there is a complete set, but often partial sets or individual pieces can sell for a pretty penny, too.
Once you’ve purchased your silver flatware set, it’s time to find a buyer to sell your collection. You don’t need to look any further than Mile High Coin. When you bring your silver flatware to Mile High Coin they can assess its value and give you a fair price for your finds. You win if you paid anything less than what they quote you because you did the dirty work of thrifting and identify sterling silver flatware on your own.