From colonial times until 1868 when the United States adopted the sterling silver standard requiring all silversmiths to use sterling containing at least 925 parts per thousand of pure silver, most American silver was produced in the slightly lower 900 purity silver, known as coin silver. Coin silver takes its name from the practice of [...]
How to Identify American Silver Marks Part I Sterling Silver Flatware Holloware Jewelry
This week and next, we will discuss the basics of identifying the marks on your American silver antiques. The myriad of sterling silver items in your home may be endless: sugar castors, liqueur tags, flatware, hollowware, Native American jewelry, frames; the list could go on. You will need bright lighting and a magnifying glass or [...]
How to Identify Rare and Unusual Silver Serving Pieces
The Victorian era saw the popularization of the sterling silver tea service in response to Queen Victoria’s establishment of ‘the afternoon tea’ as a daily ritual, and elaborate multi-course meals became the norm for the upper class. These lavish gatherings and an obsessive concern that no foods ever be touched by hand spawned massive flatware [...]
How to Build Your Library of Antique Silver Reference Books
Maybe you are just beginning your collection of fine silver, or maybe you have been acquiring pieces for many years and are looking to expand your knowledge of the field. In either case, the following books will guide you as you seek to learn more about the world of sterling silver. Encyclopedia of American Silver [...]
