Thar Be Treasure - Identifying Sterling Silver

[@Zealor365]

As an expert in American and European silver, I find that most of the information you provide here is correct. The "Numbers" you refer to are pattern numbers used to match the table pieces to a flatware pattern. Most folks in the late 1800's and early 1900"s who could buy silverware services for their homes bought the flatware and all of the accesory pieces such as fruit baskets, bon bon baskets, and nut cups. The small nut cup you said was not hallmarked most likely is stamped under the rim. The pierced basket by Gorham is a Bon Bon or candy tray and the larger oval tray by Towle is either an asparagus tray or bread tray depending on the size.

[@TheDragonsTrove]

Thanks, those numbers are often what confuses people and I never knew what they were for, and your comment taught me something.

[@LegacyStacker]

Hi The Dragon's Trove! Nice pickups! 😎I just subscribed to your channel!

[@mrc4912]

When you handle various metals for a long time, your fingers develop a 'feel' for the metal and hence aid in its identification. Silver has a unique, satiny feel that can help differentiate it from silver plated items.

[@TheDragonsTrove]

Yeah, feel & smell are there once you know what you are looking for. I can pick a good item out of a pile more often than not, but it's always a learning experience.

[@99sentcoins]

Best way to test without acid is by using an icecube. It will instantly melt on silver.

[@46kvolt]

You mislead a little by saying don’t pay attention to numbers. You say also that sterling is 92.5 % silver, which is fact, but some pieces may only have a “925” stamp which means “sterling or 9.25” 👍🏻

[@kayneF1251]

Yes , same thing

[@terenceryan6051]

That basket you showed is actually not English, it’s American it’s manufactured by Gorham from providence Rhode Island and its worth more than scrap. I hope you didn’t scrap that, that’s a very nice piece.

[@TheDragonsTrove]

I traded it to another dealer. It was nice.

[@LegacyStacker]

Hi Terence Ryan! I just subscribed to your channel! Nice video content! 😎

[@ynot552]

Thanks, good info

[@kool7763]

Good info thanks

[@jimfrost5287]

Silver is not a light metal they make it thin plus a magnet doesn't stick to plate.

[@TheDragonsTrove]

The comment is intended that it will be light in the hand compared to brass, copper or nickel that is silver plated. An ounce is still an ounce. But an ounce of brass has less And the magnet is to filter out obvious steel plated. Just a quick way to start the sorting process.

[@kayneF1251]

@@TheDragonsTrove exactly mate I knew what you meant 😂

[@kayneF1251]

Gday mate

[@zeekwolfe6251]

Interesting topic presented in an uninteresting way. Use fewer words and a lot fewer hand movements.