I wrote an article earlier about the value of silver plate pieces, What's the value of silver plate pieces?, but based upon the number of questions I receive on the subject, I need to add this article regarding silver plate flatware specifically. Here are some other articles that relate to silver plate that will be helpful reading:
- Is it sterling or silver plate (silverplate)?
- How can you tell if it's real silver?
- Rogers silver, silver plate, silverplate, sterling, silverware, 1847, 1881, community, patterns
Since silver plate flatware pieces contain so little silver, it's not cost effective to melt them down to recover the silver. The cost of the process is higher than the value of the silver recovered. Therefore, the resale value of silver plate is not based on silver content.
Here's my opinion regarding what the value is based upon:
- Condition - Is the flatware in excellent condition with intact plating all over?
- Pattern - Is the pattern desirable? Is it distinctive, very nice and perhaps unusual?
- Rarity - Does the pattern fall into the category of a collector's item?
- Popularity/Availability - Are people still trying to add pieces to their sets and if so, how available are pieces on the resale market?
As inferred by the comments above, the specific pattern has a direct impact on value.
Now let's get down to brass tacks. I'm not an expert on silver plate but I have observed enough actual sales of used silver plate flatware to get some idea of what pieces sell for. The vast majority of pieces sell in the range of $1.00 to $5.00 each. Some serving pieces might sell for a little more. This range is for pieces that don't fit the collector category.
I know that I have just disappointed a lot of people so I encourage you to obtain second and third opinions. If you have a set like this and you think I've missed the mark, take your set by an estate silver shop or old line jeweler. Ask their opinion.
Check out recently completed sales on eBay to see what your pattern sold for in the past couple of weeks. Here's an article that will help you find such sales: How do I locate actual sales of sterling silver pieces on eBay? The article talks about sterling pieces but it applies to silver plate as well.
Here are some concrete examples of recent eBay sales:
- Intl. Silver Rogers Bros "Ancestral", 63 pieces plus case - $90.88
- Oneida Wm Rogers "Vanessa", 8 Salad Forks - $16.50
- Intl. Silver Rogers Bros "Reflection", 62 pieces plus case - $104.06
I would love to receive emails and/or have comments attached to this article than sheds more light on this subject, especially if you have a success story much better than what I've painted above.
Comments
When my grandmother died many years ago I ended up with her silver plated flatware (First Love). I know it is not of great value but it is a nice pattern and I've found some great deals online to add to the number of pieces which I needed for large parties. I think the value is more sentimental and it actually looks a lot better than stainless or god-forbid plastic.
The previous comment posted by "FM" makes a good point. The greatest value any set of flatware, silver plate, sterling or otherwise, can have is its link to family and memories. Thanks, FM.
I FOUND IN MY ATTIC A FLATWARE R.WALLACE SPECIAL#0184 LORD BALTIMORE SILVER PLATE I WANT TO KNOW IF ITS A SPECIAL MAKE BY R.WALACE?THANK YOU VERY MUCH
This comment is to respond to the one posted by Moses P. I don't know the answer. Perhaps you could email me with pictures attached, one of the front and one of the back.
HELLO;THANK YOU FOR REPLING BACK HERE ARE SOME PICTURES.I WILL APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU ABOUT IT.THANK YOU AGAIN
This addresses the last comment by Moses P: The pictures did not come through. I have just posted an article that describes how to send pictures to me via email. Perhaps that is the best route. Sorry things are so cumbersome.
I have a silver cutlery which I bought it from antigue shop. It is a whole set by the name of COMMUNITY. Is there anyone who has knowledge for the brand and where it is from.
This is a response to the last comment. 'Community' is a brand name from Oneida for several patterns, some stainless and some silver plate. You can read my article, 'How do I determine what my silver pattern is?' if you would like to know the specific pattern.
I have several place settings plus a serving spoon of Wallace Grande Baroque I received in 1970. It has never been used and some are still in their wrappers. Have read several of your articles, but wondered if your company buys these type of items or just sell silver.
This is in response to the previous comment. Yes, We buy sterling flatware. The simplest way to proceed is for you to email me a list of what you have. Include the lengths of the forks and knives. Go to my blog, SilverChatter.com, and you will see in the right column, "Email Silver Jim". Click on that and you will be able to send me the email. Add "www." in front of the blog name. Thanks.
good for you for loving First Love. I have a baby set which I find just charming..I love the name..such hope for a happy life! enjoy!!
Hi Jim, I have talked to you before about a 1881 Wm Rogers Silverplate by onidea LTD Silversmiths. Enhanancement London Town 1952.I included a list of the discription, the pattern design, the silverplate is in excelent shape and an antique one of a kind standing case with retractical side shelves , gold inlay in the wood on top,four long legs and brass tips and on the inside of the lable on the bottom is a special Kenized Specially Treated Lining to Protect Tarnishing, Tested and approved by Onieda LTD Laboratories
This is a response to Dannie's comment. I don't have anything to add but maybe someone else will see your comment and have something to offer by leaving a comment themselves.
I have several pieces in a variety of patterns and names. The one I have the most of is 1847 Roger Bros. IS. Is this worth anything? I also have Nakagato - Nickel Silver, and Twilight-Community, and Gorham, and Rogers Triple. I am thinking these are silver plate, but if so, are they worth anything. How would I go about selling incomplete sets?
This is in response to the previous comment.
I believe the pieces you described are all silver plate. As such, the article itself descibes their probable value (around $1 per piece). You can try selling on craigslist.org or on eBay. Most silver dealers do not buy silver plate.
Have some flatware by Barker ellis alsorarooue by godinger with GSA on them.and Orlida Sambonet is this anything
I have a five piece silverplate tea and coffee set by Wm A. Rogers & Son. I won it in a raffle about 45 years ago. It consists of a tray, coffee pot, tea pot, creamer and sugar bowl. I opened it up once when I first brought it home to see what it looked like, and then I boxed it up again and stashed it in a cupboard where it has been ever since. About how much would it be worth, and where would I sell it"
This is a response to Dan Rogers' comment. This set is probably made of silver plate. If I am correct, the set could sell for $50 to $200. Try eBay or www.craigslist.org.
I am currently going through my deceased mothers attic and happend upon some silver ware. I tried to look it up on different websites but I'm not having much luck. There is only one piece that I have been able to somewhat identify. It has 1847 Rogers Bros. on the back of the spoon. It looks like the pattern Old Colony but it doesn't have the pattern on the back of the spoon, nor does it say triple x. Any ideas on what I have and if it might be valuable and worth keeping? Other pieces I have found are from companies such as Puritan Silver Co., R&B, E.P.N.S, and one serving/ladle piece which only has the symbol M with a circle around it and the words Silver Co. Any help or information you could give us would be greatly appreciated.
This is in reply to SandeeR's comment.
There is no consistent rule regarding the types of marks you mentioned. The primary thing to be concerned about is marks that indicate that a piece is made of sterling. There are articles available I've written about this. For pattern matching, look under International Silver which now owns the Rogers Bros brand. I believe your pieces are made of silver plate.
I have my grandmothers flatware. On the knife it is stamped Rogers Meriden, Conn 12 DWT. I assume this means it is silver plated? It does not day Rogers Bros. like I have seen in some posts. I am also having a very hard time finding the pattern. Have been looking at numerous websites. Any help would be appreciate. She was married in the 1920 and this was a wedding present.
These are silver plate. Look under International Silver at www.replacements.com to try to find a match.
I also found on the fork it is stamped with Rogers XII and also what looks to me like PAT.APOFOR? The fork and spoon does not have the 12DWT stamped on it.
Also International Silver silver plate.
We have a 52 boxed set of the Daffodil pattern from 1847 Rogers Bros, Silver plated, with several extra pieces. Trays, gravy bowls, etc. We do nothing to use something like this and was wondering if there was anyway to find out the value of this set before we try to sell it. Realize there is not a lot to be made just don't have use for it.
Most Daffodil pieces sold on eBay recently went for $1.00 to $3.00 per piece. This is in line with the discussion in the original article above.
Also have several small spoons curved on the end. Very short which is sterling silver and appear to be very old since some of these pieces came with our mother from Germany is there any way to find out the value of those. And have two very unusual candle sticks, very tall, which looks more like a bud vase to me that says silver weighted. What does silver weighted mean.
Hard to say regarding the spoons without knowing who made them and the pattern.
"Weighted" means that inside the vase is a cement compound to give it weight. Each piece probably has just a small amount of silver.
Also have several small spoons curved on the end. Very short which are sterling silver and appear to be very old. Some of these pieces came from Germany. Is there any way to find out the value of those . Also have two very unusual candle sticks, tall, which looks more like a bud vase to me that says silver weighted. What does silver weighted mean.
How do I tell what type of Wm. Rodgers Silver?
I'm not sure what you mean by "type". If you are referring to sterling vs. silver plate, here is an article that describes the marks that will help: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/is-it-sterling-or-si... .
Most Wm Rogers pieces were silver plate.
is stainless and silverplated the same? are they both worthless in terms the value of silver?
They are different. Stainless steel pieces have no silver. Silver plated pieces have an extremely thin layer of silver over some base metal that probably is not stainless steel. However, most silver plated hollow handle pieces like knives do have stainless steel blades. In terms of value, they are roughly the same. There is so little silver on the silver plated pieces that it generally does not affect the value much.
I have a 72 piece set of silver plate flatware that has J.L Sheffield England NS stamped on the back. How much would this set be worth? Thank you.
The "J L" could represent one of several companies in Sheffield. Also, without knowing the specific pattern, it's difficult to estimate value. Generally, silver plate pieces do not have much value but there is always an exception. If there is an estate silver shop in your area, take your set there to let them have a look.
But isnt the metal under the silver plate copper or nickel witch would make it around 4$ a pound
Yes, the base metal does have value but I've not dealt in that market and don't know the typical percentages of composition by each metal. A typical fork weighs about 1.5 ounces.
Is Oneida Golden Royal Grandeur silverware set worth anything? I have a service for 12.
This pattern is made of silver plate. The above article describes its value generally. However, your pattern might be worth a little bit more, especially to people trying to add to existing sets with additional place settings or serving pieces.
My Great Grandmother gave me a silver dinnerware set that has marked on it 1847 Rogers Bros IS Flair. It is a service for 12 with a hostess set included. It is a boxed set and on the bottom of the wooden box is stamped #96A. Is this work anything? Does the IS mean it is silver or is it silverplate?
The "IS" represents International Silver which now owns this brand. The set is made of silver plate. If you tried to sell it, you would probably receive a dollar or two per piece, maybe a little more for serving pieces.
I read your post that's really useful information about the market.I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.Thanks for sharing this information.
Regards
Gold Silver Tips
I have a creamer and sugar set. It's stamped Community Plate on the bottom with a serial number. Is it worth anything other than the value of the silver? Thanks!
Actually, the value of the silver is very small because these pieces are made of silver plate by Oneida. There is a very thin layer of silver on the surface. Some other metal is underneath. The value of pieces like this is often a few dollars on the used market.
Hi Jim; I have acquired from relatives a set of 'Queen Bess 1946' Tudor plate Oneida Community flatware. In the case are: 20 dinner knives; 20 forks; 20 teaspoons; 20 salad dessert forks; 2 oval soup spoons; 2 Demitosse 41/2" spoons; 1 Master butter knife; 1 sugar spoon; 1 butter spreader; 2 gravy ladles and 1 pie/cake server. Are these of any monetary value? I don't really need them.
This set is made of silver plate and does not have a great value. If you tried to sell it, you might get a dollar or so per piece.
I have a couple sets of flatware. One is Danish Princess by IS -- it's silver plate. It's a fairly large set -- two types of teaspoon, individual butter knives along with 2 larger ones. I won't give you the count unless you really want it. ;-)
I also have a set for 8 -- I'm still researching the pattern. Oddly, it doesn't have any teaspoons. I have some individual pieces that we have not been been able to give a name to. The research has been fun, I didn't think that my son (who lives with me) would be interested but he got right into 'pattern chasing',
The $1.00 or so per piece mentioned in the original article applies to Danish Princess. If the other pattern is silver plate, there is a very good chance it will fall within the same value range. Very few silver plate patterns ahve significant value when sold by an individual.
I am just wondering how much Rogers 11 Sterling Silvery butter knives from the 1920's would be worth today?
they are still in very good condition and in a set of 6.
First, read this to make sure you have sterling: http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/is-it-sterling-or-si.... Most Rogers pieces are made of silver plate.
Here are two articles, one of which should help:
http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/what-s-my-sterling-s...
http://www.examiner.com/sterling-silver-in-national/what-s-my-silver-pla...
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