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Kirk Old Maryland Engraved fork
We recommend that you read our first article, Things to consider when selling your sterling flatware, before reading this one so you will have a framework of background information related to this topic.
Why are you asking?
You may have one of several reasons for asking this question. Depending on your reason, the answer will be different. For example, you might want to know your sterling flatware's replacement value when you are buying an insurance policy. If this is the case, you can easily find the retail prices of new pieces from many retailers on the Internet. If your pattern is discontinued, prices for used pieces can be found on web sites like eBay and on the sites of major sellers of used pieces such as Replacements, Ltd. and Silver Queen Inc.
The most common reason we are asked this question is when someone is considering selling a set of sterling flatware. In almost all such cases, the seller is very disappointed with the answer! Most potential sellers look at list prices quoted by retailers and think that they should be able to get a price close to this. In the vast majority of cases, they won't.
Wallace Grande Baroque knife
In our first article, we stated that the best price could probably be obtained from a buyer who wants a set of sterling flatware for personal use. Such a buyer isn't concerned with making a profit on the later resale of the set. Based on our observations of the marketplace, we estimate that a planning figure for such a sale is between 25% and 50% of the retail price. This is highly dependent upon the characteristics of the set as described in our first article.
On the other hand, if you sell to a dealer, the planning price is reduced, probably to the range of 10% to 35% of the retail price.
To make sure we were accurate in our estimate of what a dealer will offer, we actually requested quotes from three different dealers for a representative set of Gorham Chantilly flatware. One dealer was very large, one was a medium size and one was very small in terms of estimated annual sales volume. The fictitious set was made up of 56 pieces, eight of which were serving pieces. We stipulated that the pieces were in excellent condition with no monograms.
Gorham Buttercup tomato server
The three quotes were within 7% of each other. The highest quote was $938.00, or an average price per piece of $16.75. This is less than 20% of the average retail list price, maybe even less than 15%, depending upon the retailer. What was the retail price of this set? Prices from multiple retailers for a set like this were well over $5,000.
So, as we stated in our first article, our recommendation is that you keep your sterling flatware for future generations. It will have much more long lasting sentimental value than its real value on the secondary market.
We welcome questions and comments. Send us an email or add your comment to the article.
Disclaimer
Although the author has tried to be completely unbiased and factual in this article, readers should understand that the author is in the business of buying and selling sterling flatware. Therefore, comments in this article could be considered biased and self-serving. Readers should verify the information from independent sources before attempting to act based on the information presented herein.
Comments
I have a set of bestecke 24k flatware circa approximately 1980.
Would you have any idea of the value of this set.
Hope your able to help me.
Thank you,
Jerald Feder
jerry4424f@aol.com
i would like value of a sterling set. it is a four piece set # 103 its british it has a lion,bell and looks like a plant. it has a anogram on it wich says 1883 agj 1908. the set looks like two big tea pitchers and the other pieces look like something to put gravy or somthing in it not sure. It weighs 63.5 troy ounces
Hi, Alton.
I can't place the marks you described. Look at this page: http://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html . Do you see anything beyond the lion that is similar? If so, leave another comment with what you matched.
Also, check out this article for more resources: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/current-british-silv... .
This is a response to the previous comment posted by Jerald.
I think this set is probably gold electroplate. Generally speaking, such sets fall into the same value group as silver plate sets. I recently wrote an article on this subject for Examiner: "What's the value of my silver plate flatware". Your set would fit the discussion in that article.
If you would like to find your pattern, you can try locating the page for SBS Bestecke patterns at Replacements Ltd. web site.
I have a set of Oneida Damask Rose sterling silver cutlery, plus serving pieces, for 12. I don't know if this is an important factor or not, but the set was purchased over 50 years ago. I'd appreciate it if you could give me an approximate guesstimate of what I could sell the set for, and who I'd contact. I was also advised to contact an auction house for an appraisal, and I have no idea how to go about doing that. I appreciate any help you can give me.
This is in response to the comment by "babaettie". I'll send an email with answers to your questions.
Great Article!
I would like to add that every dealer buys based on their inventory needs. Therefore, if you ever get a quote that you are not happy with do not take offense to it, sometimes dealers are just over stocked. I have found that companies that actually resell sterling silver give you the best price since they are also including the value of the pattern in addition to the weight of the sterling itself. Try www.beverlybremer.com for a very accurate list of patterns and pieces. She has been in business selling sterling silver for over 35 years.
I have a 54 piece set of International Wedgwood 1924, No Monos.
Would my best course of selling it, be to check with replacements.com for an offer ? This set was from a grandmother, but we have no sentimental attachment to it.
Angie
This is a response to the last comment. It does make sense to contact Replacements for an offer. I received your email and will respond with more details.
have an 1847 rodgers bro's (IS) flair gravy spoon was woundering what IT MAY BE WORTH. THANK YOU
This is a response to the previous comment. The value of this piece is covered by the discussion in this article: http://www.examiner.com/x-26031-Sterling-Silver-Examiner~y2010m1d30-What... .
Mickey Mouse Spoon (Rogers 1S) and
Charlie McCarthy Spoon (Duchess Silverplate)
nyone know ages, history and re-sale value for either
Thanks
This is a response to the previous comment. I have delayed posting this reply because the system won't let me post a link to another article. So, I'll have to ask that you enter "souvenir spoons" in the search block and search for my article on the subject. It will give you links to sites that might help you.
Good morning, Happy New Years. Could i please get some help. I bought a nice tea set, 3 piece, dont no anything about it. Says wm rogers with a angle or a dove looking to the left at the beginning of the maker mark, cant find no info on the angle or dove, seems most of the makers marks had information after the name wm rogers. This set has the angle/dove before the name wm rogers it has a star after the name. Could i please ask for your time in a answer, it looks old and well taken care of, it has wore well. Thank you Mark
This is a reply to the previous comment.
Most Wm. Rogers pieces are made of silver plate. Since the word, "Sterling", does not appear on the pieces, I assume they are silver plate. When you have a few minutes, you might scan the pictures at Replacements.com. Look under International Silver since they now own the Wm. Rogers brand. The brand, "Wm. A. Rogers", is owned by Oneida. Confusing, isn't it?
i have service for 20 of westmoreland millburn rose pattern with some accessories shrimp forks salt spoons and some other would like to know value for insurance purposes.
the service for 20 is 60 years old
This is in response to the previous two comments regarding a Westmorland set.
This article will help you develop an insurance value: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/cheap-approach-to-appraising-your-sterling-flatware .
i have community morning rose silverware i have 8 butter knives eight table spoons one bigger slotted and unslotted spoon 8 forks 8 small forks16 teaspoons 4 like teaspoons with long handles and on like soup spoon can u give me an estimate of the value please
This is in response to the previous comment.
Your set is made of silver plate. This article describes its approximate value: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/what-s-the-value-of-... .
I have a complete set of Stiffe Silver, Sterling Silver 1959 I think its a rose pattern any ball park Idea
thanks
This is in response to the comment by Les.
In order to have a reasonably accurate estimate of value, you need the name of the pattern. See this article: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/how-do-i-determine-w... .
Once you know your pattern, review this article: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/cheap-approach-to-ap... .
I have a Wm. Rogers 1959 tea time service for 8, Would like to sell, any takers.
Consider posting a free ad on craigslist.org to test your local market.
I believe this set is made of silver plate. If so, the value is not very high.
i have a full set of 1847 rogers bros. silverware, what are they worth?
Check out this article: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/what-s-my-silver-pla...
I have Grand BAroque, luncheon size, 7 pc service for 12 (includes butter knif and oyster fork), half purchased in 1948 and half purchased in 1950. What is the approximate price it is worth if I sell?
This article will help calculate a value range: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/cheap-approach-to-ap... . Also look at recent sales on eBay for examples.
I have sterling silver flatware, service for 12, not monogrammed, Gorham (don't remember the pattern name, but very ornate) please tell me approximate price to pawn or sell?
You really need to determine your pattern first. Try this article: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/how-do-i-determine-w... . If you can't find it, send me a picture of the front of a fork and tell me what words or symbols you find on the back. You can get to my email by clicking on my name in the header above.
Once you know the pattern, try here: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/cheap-approach-to-ap... .
If you would like an offer from me, send the pattern name and inventory of pieces to me by email.
I don't recommend pawn or those "We Buy Gold and Silver" places.
Hi, i have been given a flatware set heirloom with the letter T on every piece! It comes in a big wooden box with 4 trays and open panel ontop that opens upwards! Its lined with light blue silk material inside! I was just wondering where it comes from and how old it is!
I can't tell what you have. Here are some articles that might help:
- http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/is-it-sterling-or-si...
- http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/where-can-i-find-ide...
- http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/how-do-i-determine-w...
I have a Lunt sterling service for 8 plus serving pieces, ice tea spoons, etc. Can you estimate a value based on this information?
The value depends on the pattern and what the specific pieces are. Here's an article that will help: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/cheap-approach-to-ap... .
If you don't know your pattern, try here: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/another-resource-for... .
i found a silver looking serving tray out yard saleing. it is 14.5 in wide with 2 handles. it is an oneida ridgewood. on the back is the crest mark with OL in middle. it does not say sterling or plated the replacement page says its sterling but i am unsure. any help is appreciated in trying to figure out if this is plated or sterling.
thanks
stewie
I have a Westmorland John and Priscilla set - 49 pieces. I had a couple question about it. 1 all the pieces are stamped sterling minus the knives which have stainless steel blades. Is this typical? Does having knives that do not have sterling blades effect the value of the set? Second off the set contains 7 settings of 6 pieces (knife, salad fork, dinner fork, soup spoon, and 2 teaspoons). Is having service for 7 in the least bit common? What about the 2 teaspoons per person? If either of these facts are odd do the effect the resale value? Also I have the original box it came in, the box identifies it as Westmorland and the name of silver cloth company, but have several old scratches on the case. Does the box add any value to the set?
I have an antique sterling silver flatware set that is a service for 12. My collection contains many unusual pieces as part of the service for 12 (olive forks, salt spoons,demitess coffee spoons,bread & butter knives...) There are well over 30 serving pieces as well. Due to financial difficulties I need to sell my silverware. Can you give me any advice/tips on how to proceed?
This is in response to Stewie.
I almost always go by what's on the back. If it does not say, "Sterling", I get suspicious. However, the Replacements folks generally mean what they say. So, I can't explain the discrepancy.
This is in response to Kat.
It is very common for knife blades to be made of stainless steel. The handles in a set like this often are made of an outer shell of sterling with a cemnt inside to hold the blade in place. Sometime you can find the word, "Sterling", in tiny faint letters along the edge of the handle.
7 place settings is not common but I would not worry about it. It's difficult to define exactly what a "set" should contain. People add pieces to their sets all the time.
2 teaspoons per setting is common - sometimes you need extras for dessert, etc. Also, someimes you might have a large crod in for coffee and use only the teaspoons.
The resale value will be based on the pieces you have and not so much about how they fit into a set.
Boxes don't add much value to the set unless they are VERY unusual.
This is in regard to tips about selling sterling. Start here: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/things-to-consider-w... .
At the bottom of that article are links to other articles that might help.
I have a complete young love oneida gorham set from 1958 with 63 pieces. It comes complete in the original case and box in mint condition. None of the set have ever been removed from the plastic. It is brand new never used. I'm trying to find the best way to sell this set and receive the maximum amount for elderly family members who are in need of every penny. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
This is in reply to Lore.
I don't think Gorham was involved with this set. Oneida does have a "Young Love" pattern.
An end user generally pays the highest price (as opposed to a dealer). The problem is in finding such a buyer. You could try eBay or Craigslist as a start.
You can get offers from dealers on the web. Go to www.SilverChatter.com and scan through the ads at the top for people who buy silver. Look also for people who sell because they have to buy somewhere.
If you would like an offer from me (a dealer), send an inventory of pieces to GeorgiaSilver@bellsouth.net.
Check with www.replacements.com also for a dealer possibility.
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