What is the silver content of silver dining ware and where do you sell it?

zeebob

How does one go about determining the silver content and value of old silver dinner ware? You know like candy dishes and candle stick holders and napkin rings... Where does one sell this stuff? Maybe Midwest Refineries again?

Cladiator

The stuff I've seen is marked 925, meaning it's Sterling Silver. Just weigh the items and do the math with .925 fine silver and you can figure out how much pure silver you have. It's on eBay quite a bit but sells for crap money usually. Don't know of anywhere that will give you good money for it. Coin shops, pawn shops, Cash4Gold all will give you as little as they can.

zeebob

The issue seems to be the bases of the pieces are filled with epoxy or something. The bases are heavy, but not solid. Maybe I have to peal the silver off then just weigh it. I wonder if I haul them into an antique shop if they will be worth more as implements than as scrap silver... I think I'll try that.

MoneyLA

Actually that kind of stuff has more value than its silver content.

For sterling silver there is actually a very active market for old patterns.

Try Replacements.com at this link.

You could also try jewelry stores and specialty stores in your area.

Frankly, this is what the B&Ms do when this stuff comes in... they rarely melt it and find a buyer for it.

Some sterling patters are always in demand. Some sterling silver candle holders, serving pieces, platters, etc might be valuable antiques. This is not bullion and I'd be very careful about selling it.