What does EPNS mean on silver items?

Although my interest primarily relates to pieces made of sterling, I receive many questions about silver plate items. Perhaps the most common is, "What does 'EPNS' mean?"
The answer is that it's an indicator that a piece is made of silver plate. Other similar terms are:

• EPNS
• EP
• EP over copper
• EPBM
• EPCA
• EPGS
• EPWM
• EPNS A1
• EPNS England
• EPNS Sheffield
• EPNS X1

See this article for a bit more information: What does 'EPNS' mean on my silver pieces?

 

What is this?

A blog reader purchased this item on eBay. It's from Walker & Hall and is just under 5 inches long. The seller said it was a sardine server.

 

The buyer wonders if this truly is a sardine server. You can't tell from the picture but the bowl slants downward. Normally, a serving piece is designed to be used with the pattern facing up. For this piece, the angle of the bowl with respect to the pattern does not make sense for a sardine server.

 

If you have any ideas, post a comment.



 

 

Picture courtesy www.eBay.com

Holmes & Edwards Inlaid Silver

For some reason, I've received a number of questions lately regarding Holmes & Edwards Inlaid Silver. Here's an article I wrote that should answer most questions. If it does not, leave a comment or send an email to me.

• Holmes & Edwards Inlaid Silver

Westmorland Sterling Notes

Those of you interested in Westmorland (often misspelled Westmoreland) sterling might find these two articles interesting:

• Westmorland Sterling Co.: Five hit wonder
• Westmorland sterling in World War II

About three days after writing the first article, I acquired a set of Westmorland Milburn Rose that included some interesting information about Westmorland during wartime. So, I wrote the second article while it was on my mind.

If there are any topics you would like to have added to this blog, feel free to email me at GeorgiaSilver@bellsouth.net.

Weighted Sterling Candlestick - Case Study

When trying to determine the actual amount of silver in a weighted sterling piece, it helps to have many examples upon which you can rely regarding true silver content. Here's another.

The picture below depicts a Reed and Barton weighted sterling candlestick - on the left is the original candlestick and on the right is the weighting material after the sterling casing was removed.

The original candlestick weighed 228 grams. The weight of the sterling outer casing after being removed weighed 28 grams.  So, only 12.3% of the weight of the original piece was sterling.

If you try to remove the sterling casing from a piece like this, you might be interested in the picture below. The nails form a support for the weighting material, somewhat like rebar rods inside concrete. Be careful!

Acid Testing Silver - A Video

Hello, Readers! It's been a while since I posted and I apologize for that. I'll try to do better.

I ran across a video recently that talks about silver content in various types of pieces. But the thing that was really interesting was the demonstration of the use of nitric acid to test for silver content.

The video narrator is Rick Harrison, one of the stars of The Pawn Stars on the History Channel. Rick is an entertaining guy and he does a good job of explaining. You can find the video here:

• Video: Acid testing silver

It's only a couple of minutes long and is worth the time to view it.

Wanted: Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid

A blog reader has asked for help in locating anyone who wants to sell some "Princess Ingrid" by Frank Whiting. If you fit this mold, click on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column and send us an email.

New Life for Silver Plate Pieces

During Thanksgiving week, I visited with relatives in New York City. On Wednesday night, we went to the Upper West Side where they inflate the balloon figures for the Macy's parade.

While there, we visited the New York Historical Society Museum & Library which is right next to the balloon site. In the gift shop, there were several chandeliers hanging that are great examples of repurposing.

Been wondering what to do with those old silver plate trays and spoons? Now you know!

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Country Living Magazine: Top 10 sterling flatware patterns

Just a quick note of interest - we're mentioned in Country Living magazine's October 2011, issue. See the article:

• Top 10 Flatware Patterns

About the Ads on Our Blog Site

We receive questions occasionally regarding the Google ads displayed on this site. There are two primary reasons we display ads:

• We receive a small amount of revenue from Google whenever someone clicks on an ad. This helps fund our various information projects such as this blog.
• The ads provide a service for some readers, mostly those looking to buy or sell sterling pieces.

Here are a few points to help understand the ad process:

• We have very little control over the selection of ads presented by Google. However, Google does try to present ads relevant to the content of the blog.
• We don't endorse any advertiser.
• A click on an ad won't result in harm to your computer or "spam" to be generated based on the click itself. However, once you get to the advertiser's site, you are on your own in that regard.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Buying and selling silver flatware: An antique show example

I visited the Scott Antique Market this past weekend. This is a huge show held monthly in Atlanta and I sometimes go because I know I'll see eight or ten dealers in various types of silver. As a result of this visit, I wrote two articles that might be if interest to some.

I interviewed two dealers in silver plate flatware regarding their business:

• Silver plate flatware price: Validation from two dealers

I also looked at the way some dealers are pricing and selling sterling flatware:

• Prices of sterling silver at antique shows: A recent example

If you are thinking about buying or selling silver flatware, one or both of these articles might be of interest.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Selling Your Silver: A Guide to Finding a Buyer and Getting a Good Price

I receive tons of questions from people wanting to know how to sell their silver, especially since the world commodity silver price has skyrocketed. So, I've written a 28-page booklet that provides information about the process. For anyone interested, it can be downloaded here for a small fee: Selling Your Silver: A Guide to Finding a Buyer and Getting a Good Price. I think you have to sign up for a free membership at the publisher's site.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Help Requested in Locating Engraved Gorham Buttercup Pieces

A blog reader has asked for assistance in locating some specific pieces. Her great-grandmother gave away some pieces of Gorham Buttercup engraved on the back with "O S Merry". The picture gives an idea of what we're talking about.

If you know of the location of pieces like this, send us an email. We know this is a shot in the dark but we can't locate these pieces if we don't try!

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Why can't I sell my sterling silver for higher than scrap value?

The wild commodity silver market has triggered many questions to me from blog readers who are thinking about selling their sterling flatware and hollowware pieces. Many have questioned why they could not get a better price. We've been watching sales on eBay lately and it seems that many sellers don't even get the scrap value for their sterling. Here's an article we wrote recently:

• Why can't I sell my sterling for higher than scrap value?

As a reminder, we don't think folks should ever sell their sterling unless they really need the money. In general, the price received will always be disappointing, especially if the seller expected to get somewhere close to retail or close to the prices charged by companies like Replacements, Ltd. We think the value of sterling as a personal family heirloom is much greater that its value on the used market and it should be handed down through generations.

If you must sell, be patient. Get offers from several buyers and try to find the buyer who wants sterling for personal use. Such a buyer often is willing to pay more.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Who Will Buy Sterling Silver for Scrap Value - Update Regarding Refineries

I've posted a few articles regarding selling sterling for scrap but most were written when the commodity price of silver was much lower than it is now. Since the price of silver has increased dramatically during the past year or two (2010-2011), I've gained new insight and experience regarding selling silver for scrap.

It appears that the best price for your scrap silver will be obtained from a business that actually does the refining. It is not unusual to find a refinery who will pay 90% of the world spot price for silver. There is a catch - many of these refineries only do business with other businesses and do not offer their services to retail customers. So, you may have to search around to find a refinery to work with you.

You should also be aware that you will have to trust the refinery to do the right thing. Once they refine your sterling, they will produce some sort of report regarding the weight and purity of the items you handed over to them. They should tell you:

• The weight before refining
• The weight after refining
• The purity of the silver

If you disagree with their assessment, it may be too late to do anything about it - it's already been melted!

Here are some things to remember:

• Sterling is 92.5% silver content by weight.
• Knives and similar "hollow handle" pieces are about 15% sterling by weight (this is just an educated guess).
• Some pieces, such as candlesticks, may contain cement "weighting" material inside - sterling content may be relatively small.
• Silver plate pieces have very little silver content.

If you want to pursue a relationship with a refinery, submit one or two small batches for refining first. Look at the results and see if they agree with your estimate. Understand any deviations. Once you feel comfortable with a business, you can submit larger batches of sterling for melt down.

You'll see some ads at the top of the screen. Scroll right and you'll probably see several ads from refineries. Google attempts to display ads from businesses in your general location.

You might also try searching. In the Google search box on the right of this screen, enter "silver gold refinery refining". You might add the name of your city to the search. After you click the "Search" button, a new window will pop up. Check out the ads at the top and the right of the new window.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Hollowware Match for Towle Old Master Flatware

A reader who owns Towle Old Master sterling flatware would like some help. He wants to acquire hollowware that blends well with his flatware. He's not crazy about Towle's Old Master hollowware design.

If you have a suggestion for an available pattern of hollowware that he might like, please add a comment or send me an email.

Thanks.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

I Need Help with Gorham Marks

I've stated in several posts that Gorham changed its marking method for flatware in 1950 from the classic "lion/anchor/G Sterling" marks to simply "Gorham Sterling". Lately, I've been wondering if this is entirely accurate. For example, I have not been able to find old marks on patterns like King Edward and Fairfax. Both these patterns existed a few years before 1950.

Can anyone out there shed some light on this? Post a comment if you can.

Thanks.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

This has nothing to do with silver!

This post has nothing to do with silver but maybe the topics might interest a few readers. I'm returning a favor to sources who have linked to me from their web sites.

Smocked Children's Clothes

This is an old friend who makes smocked clothing by hand:

          bobbosbobbin


Personal Financial Management for Women

A very good friend (my wife) writes this column about pesonal finances:

            Atlanta Women and Money Examiner

Case Study & Warning: Selling scrap silver to a refiner

I wrote this article on May 22, 2011. So far, it is Number One on the Hit Parade of articles! It received 600% more "hits" on the first day than the next most popular article I ever wrote.

     Case Study & Warning: Selling scrap silver to a refiner

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.

Silver price above $40

The world spot price for commodity silver has now exceeded $40 per Troy ounce, the highest it has been since 1980. The price rose to $50 in 1980 because the Hunt Brothers of Texas were trying to corner the world silver market. Other than that fluke, the price has been below $40 historically.

However, if you take inflation into account, the price of silver now is about the same as it was in 1864. The average price of silver in 1864 was about $2.94, or $40.50 in today's dollars. Maybe we should draw some conclusions by comparing our nation in turmoil in 2011 and 1864.

The inflation adjusted price high in 1980 was $130 in today's dollars.

Click on any picture to see a larger version. By clicking on "Comments/Questions" below, you can see posted comments and add your own questions and comments. Or, you can send us an email by clicking on "Email Silver Jim" in the right column.