All About Antiques

Antique silver spoons are identified by hallmarks, construction method, and style period. Sterling silver is marked 925 or carries a lion passant on British pieces, while silver plate shows EPNS or similar stamps. Key styles include Fiddle, King’s Pattern, and Old English, each tied to a specific era from the 1700s onward. A genuine pre-1900…

Reed & Barton Francis I: how to identify this sterling pattern, date your set, and understand why it commands top prices.

The most collectible sterling silver flatware patterns are Francis I (Reed & Barton, 1907), Repoussé (Kirk Stieff, 1828), Grand Baroque (Wallace, 1941), and Chantilly (Gorham, 1895). These patterns command premium prices at auction due to their intricate craftsmanship, historical pedigree, and sustained collector demand. Authentication begins with hallmark stamps—”Sterling” or “925”—alongside the maker’s mark.

Identifying a silver flatware pattern without marks relies on analyzing the handle shape, the specific decorative motifs (like repoussé florals or geometric Art Deco lines), and the overall weight or gauge of the metal. Genuine antique silver patterns often have crisp, deep detailing that modern reproductions lack, and distinguishing between sterling silver, coin silver, and…

Authentic antique silver can be identified by analyzing the assay marks and maker’s marks, verifying the piece’s weight and dimensions against historical records, and requesting a detailed condition report. Genuine sterling silver (925/1000 purity) will always bear specific hallmarks, whereas silver plate or base metals often feature misleading “EPNS” or pseudo-marks designed to deceive online…

Flea market silver hunting: how to spot real sterling, read marks fast, and find hidden treasures others walk right past.

How to sell antique silver on eBay for the best price: listing strategy, photos of hallmarks, pricing, fees, and safe shipping.

Silver is at record highs. Should you sell now? How to decide between melt value and antique value, and time the market wisely.

How to find hidden silver at estate sales and avoid overpaying: where to look, how to read marks fast, and smart pricing tips.