In several articles I've written in the past, I have downplayed the value of used silver plate flatware. Here are a couple of examples:
I painted used silver plate flatware with a wide brush in these articles. However, I do want to point out that there are exceptions and you should do some research before deciding what your pieces are actually worth. Given the volume of silver plate pieces out there, the exceptions are rare but they do exist.
For example, the French firm, Christofle, dates back to about 1830. The company has made both sterling and silver plate pieces over the years. They even developed their own metal alloy called Gallia. It was somewhat like pewter and was used to make more affordable pieces. If you search for sales of used Christofle pieces today, you'll find that the prices of silver plate pieces often are quite higher than what you see for pieces made by other companies. A teaspoon in the silver plate Talisman pattern recently sold on eBay for $85.00!
As you research pieces in which you are interested, seek advice from multiple sources. Chances are good that your used silver plate teaspoon is only worth fifty cents or a dollar. On the other hand, if it's a pattern like Talisman, who knows?
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