Rowan Hughes, Specialist Valuer for Antique and Vintage Silver and Silver Plate at 1818 Auctioneers, shares some of her knowledge.
“When identifying silver, the first thing to look for is the hallmark. Hallmarks indicate the purity of the metal and can also show where a piece was marked, when it was made, and who made it. In most cases, the key marks to look for are the purity mark, a date letter, a maker’s mark and the Assay Office mark.
“The use of marks on precious metals has a long history. Ancient civilisations used stamped symbols to indicate quality and origin, and in England, the system developed over centuries as standards for silver were introduced and enforced. Sterling silver became the recognised standard at 92.5% purity, helping protect buyers and reduce the risk of fraud.
“Assay Offices were central to that process. Before 1773, there were offices in London, Chester and Exeter. As production increased, Birmingham and Sheffield were added, each with its own mark. Birmingham adopted the anchor, while Sheffield used the crown. Other offices later operated in places including Newcastle, York, Scotland and Ireland.
“One of the most common areas of confusion is the difference between sterling silver and silver-plated wares. Silver-plated items are often marked E.P.N.S, which stands for Electroplated Nickel Silver. Although the name may sound misleading, nickel silver does not contain silver; it is instead coated with a thin layer of precious metal. Some plated wares can carry marks that resemble sterling hallmarks, so it is always worth looking closely.
“You may also come across pieces marked 800 or 835, which refer to different standards of silver purity. These pieces are still silver, but they are not sterling silver, which is marked 925. Some items also carry commemorative hallmarks issued for specific national occasions, including royal jubilees, coronations and the millennium.
“Hallmarking still serves an important purpose today. Under the Hallmarking Act 1973, precious metal items over certain weights sold in the UK must carry an approved hallmark if they are described as gold, silver, platinum or palladium.
“When looking at your own silver pieces, the main things to check are the date letter, the maker’s mark and the Assay Office mark. These details will help you establish whether a piece is sterling silver and can also reveal more about its age, origin, history, and, of course, value if you are considering selling.”
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