Is Reed and Barton real silver?
Reed & Barton was a prominent American silversmith manufacturer based in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, operating between 1824 and 2015. Its products include sterling silver and silverplate flatware.
What is sterling silver flatware?
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver with a 7.5% additive, usually copper. Sterling flatware always retains it intrinsic silver value & usually a value also as tableware. Silver plate has no intrinsic silver value. It is not worth the refining costs to try to redeem the silver.
How can you tell Reed and Barton?
Check the markings on the back of your silver. A Reed & Barton piece will be marked with the company name or with the letter R inside a shield. In addition, between 1928-1957, the company included a date mark on its pieces.
Is silverplate worth any money?
Silver is a valuable metal that has a long-lasting intrinsic value. Therefore, you can melt it down and sell it depending on the metal market. On the contrary, silver-plated items are only worth what the buyer has to offer. Unlike silver that has a melting value, silverplate doesn’t.
How can you tell Reed and Barton silverware?
Verify that you have a Reed & Barton piece. Check the markings on the back of your silver. A Reed & Barton piece will be marked with the company name or with the letter R inside a shield. In addition, between 1928-1957, the company included a date mark on its pieces.
What is the difference between sterling silver and silver plated flatware?
American sterling silver is always marked Sterling or 925, and is 92.5% pure silver. Silver plate is just that – a thin layer of silver plated over another metal such as copper, brass or nickel. Often silver plated items will be marked with an EP, EPNS or Silver on Copper or have no mark at all.
Is it worth buying sterling silverware?
In my experience, investors rarely consider sterling silver to be a worthwhile investment, but in high enough quantities, it can be a worthwhile hold. The value of sterling silver is tethered to the price of pure silver but 7.5% lower due to its reduced purity.
How do you date Reed and Barton silverware?
Look for another pictorial mark on your piece. If your piece was made from 1928 to 1957, it will have one of these date codes. Compare the pictorial mark to a chart of Reed & Barton date code marks. One can be found at the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Maker’s Marks (see Resources).
Does anyone buy silver plated flatware?
In fact, you’ll be surprised to find out that they are more valuable than nickel-silver alloy at any scrap yard. In most cases, storefront buyers of sterling silver and gold will give you something like a dollar or fifty cents for every pound of your silver-plated item. They accumulate what you have until it is enough.
Does silver plated flatware tarnish?
Silver-plated forks and other silver flatware are susceptible to tarnish, spotting and pitting if they are incorrectly handled and washed. Take extra care if you are washing silver-plated flatware in a dishwasher or you could end up damaging it.