Silver prices have remained strong in recent years, meaning many forgotten drawers of cutlery and inherited tea sets could be worth more than expected. However, not all silver-coloured items are genuine sterling silver. At Potteries Auctions, we regularly assess silver items ranging from Georgian flatware and antique coins to modern jewellery and decorative pieces.
What Makes Silver Valuable?
The value of a silver item depends on several factors:
- Whether it is sterling silver or plated
- Weight (silver is priced per gram)
- Age and rarity
- Maker (renowned silversmiths can command premiums)
- Condition
Even damaged or mismatched pieces may still hold scrap silver value.
Sterling Silver vs Silver-Plated: What’s the Difference?
Sterling silver is made from 92.5% pure silver and will be hallmarked accordingly. Silver-plated items, by contrast, are made from a base metal such as copper or nickel and coated with a thin layer of silver.
Over time, plated items may show wear where the base metal becomes visible. While silver-plated pieces can still have decorative or collectible value, they typically carry far less intrinsic metal value than sterling silver.
Look for Hallmarks
In the UK, hallmarks are one of the most reliable indicators of genuine silver. Since the 14th-century, British law has required precious metals to be tested and hallmarked by an official Assay Office. On your item, look for a series of tiny stamped symbols, usually found on the reverse side of cutlery or the base of hollowware.
Key hallmarks to look for include:
- The Lion Passant: A walking lion indicates sterling silver (.925 purity)
- The Leopard’s Head: This mark represents the London Assay Office
- The Anchor: Used by the Birmingham Assay Office
- The Crown: Historically used in Sheffield
- Date Letter: A letter corresponding to the year of assay
- Maker’s Mark: Initials or a unique symbol identifying the silversmith
If your item features these marks, particularly the Lion Passant, there’s a strong chance it’s genuine sterling silver.
Perform a Magnet Test
Silver, in its pure form, is not magnetic. Gently hold a magnet near your item. If the item is attracted to the magnet, it’s likely made of a different metal or has a silver-plated exterior.
However, be aware that this test isn’t foolproof, as many non-silver metals are also non-magnetic. Use it alongside other methods for the most reliable results.
Examine the Colour and Shine
Sterling silver has a distinctive, slightly warm white glow. Over time, it can tarnish and develop a darker patina, which can actually indicate genuine silver. Silver-plated items often have a brighter, more mirror-like shine when new, but may reveal a different base metal underneath when worn or scratched.
Check for Wear
Silver-plated items tend to wear over time – especially on edges – revealing the base metal beneath. Inspect areas of heavy use such as knife blades, fork tines and spoon bowls. Uneven colouring or patches of a different metal are signs of plating.
Conduct a Weight Test
Silver is denser than most common base metals. Genuine sterling silver often feels heavier in the hand than its plated counterparts. Comparing a known sterling piece with your item can help you get a sense of the difference.
How Much Is a Silver Spoon Worth?
The value of a silver spoon depends on whether it is sterling silver or silver-plated, its weight, age, maker and condition. Many sterling silver spoons are valued primarily based on their silver weight, while antique or rare examples can achieve significantly higher prices at auction. Silver-plated spoons typically have minimal scrap value but may still hold decorative or collectible appeal.
Seek Professional Evaluation
If in doubt, bring your silver item to an expert like us. At Potteries Auctions, we not only host free valuation days every week, but now that our Antique Centre is back open to the public (next door to our Cobridge saleroom), you can pop in Monday-Saturday from 10am-2pm with your silver items for a valuation using our new precious metals analyser. This ensures you know exactly what you have before you consider selling it.
We also use a modern precious metals analyser, allowing us to test silver content quickly and accurately without damaging your items. The Potteries Antique Centre also offers the option to purchase silver items directly.
Genuine silver is not only valuable but also part of our cultural heritage. Authentic pieces often carry stories of craftsmanship, family history and historical significance. Knowing whether your silverware is genuine helps preserve its value and allows you to make informed decisions.
Check out some recent silver pieces we’ve sold at auction below – some are real silverware and some are chrome-plated items to help show you the difference between real and fake silver!
Don’t be fooled into thinking that shiny silver = value. Often, these pieces are chrome-plated or silver-plated as opposed to the real deal. This lot is a perfect example! Lot 720 at our February 2025 Silverdale auction was a 37cm Chrome Bibendum Michelin Man Advertising Figure with a Blue and Yellow Sash that sold for £30.
This 16.5cm Chrome-plated Babycham Car Mascot sold back at a Silverdale auction in August for £18.
You can still find value in chrome-plated items at auction. Often, collectibles and advertising items are produced in this way. Their value then usually comes from their brand or rarity, rather than the actual silver content. This Bentley Early Flying B Chrome Car Mascot is a prime example, which we sold for £70.
As well as not equating shiny with meaning real silver, also don’t be fooled into thinking that if a silver piece is discoloured or worn that it can’t be genuine either. This collection of four sterling silver coins sold for £140 at auction with us!
We previously sold this c1920s silver footed bowl, hallmarked for Sheffield by makers James Deakin & Sons, for £300. You can clearly see that it features some of the key hallmarks that indicate genuine silverware, such as the Crown, the Lion’s Passant and a Maker’s Mark.
This silver two-handled vase, hallmarked for London 1922 with lion head handles, sold for £720. Again, you can clearly see some hallmarks of real silver on the back.
Hallmarked for Birmingham 1912, this silver footed fruit bowl is a brilliant example of how genuine sterling silver has a distinctive, slightly warm white glow. It sold for £720.
This set of two large silver stuffing or basting spoons sold for £130.
This silver four-piece decorative tea set, Hallmarked for Birmingham 1958, sold for £950 altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions About Identifying Real Silver
Look for UK hallmarks such as the Lion Passant, assay office marks, a date letter and a maker’s mark. If no hallmarks are present, it may be silver-plated or require professional testing.
Silver-plated items typically have limited scrap value, but decorative or collectible examples can still sell well depending on demand.
The number 925 indicates sterling silver, meaning the item contains 92.5% pure silver.
No. Genuine sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time. Tarnish can often be polished away.
Simple methods such as checking hallmarks, using a magnet test and inspecting wear can help. For certainty, professional testing is recommended.
Buy and Sell Silver with Confidence at Potteries Auctions
If you’re looking to buy silver at auction, then check out our upcoming auctions and scroll through the available online catalogues to see if something catches your eye. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all the best upcoming lots.
If you’re looking to sell your silver items, then please get in touch with us. Free valuation days are held every Tuesday at our Silverdale saleroom or every Thursday at our Cobridge saleroom. To book an appointment, use our online booking form here. You can also email us at enquiries@potteriesauctions.com or call us at +44 (0)1782 638100.
Due to popular demand, we have also started to offer a private valuation service for premium items. Please contact us directly to arrange an appointment by emailing amy@potteriesauctions.com.