No one knows for sure, but some historians speculate that the word “sterling” is a corruption of “Easterlings,” the German silversmiths brought to England by Henry II to share their silversmithing knowledge with the British. What we do know is that the sterling standard of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 alloy, which tends to be mostly copper, originated around 1300 in England with Edward I.

Ever since, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and Silversmiths has enforced this standard. The Worshipful Company derives its authority from the Goldsmiths’ Hall, whose name is the origin of the word “hallmark.”

Because England used silver money until 1921, the crown relied on strict enforcement and heavy punishments to ensure the quality of British silver. Without these standards, silve...

Each piece of British silver had at least four marks that told its story: the standard mark, town mark, date letter, and maker’s mark. These marks were stamped on finished pieces when craftsmen brought their products to the local assay office, where officials tested the metal content of each product.

The sterling silver standard mark guaranteed that the silver content of a piece was at least 92.5 percent. In 1300, this mark was a leopard’s head. In 1478, the head was modified to include a crown. In 1544, during a time of coin debasement under Henry VIII, the mark was changed to a profile of a lion walking left, known as lion passant. This mark was changed again in 1820 to an uncrowned lion head.

For a short interim starting in 1697, the crown required silverware to be 95.8 percent pure silver, rather than 92.5 percent. This requirement was known as the Britannia standard, and the goal of its implementation was to prevent silversmiths after the Restoration from melting down coins (which were sterling standard) and using that to make their wares.

Britannia silver bore the profile of a lion’s head in place of the sterling mark. This higher-quality silver was softer and easier to work with, but the standard was phased out in 1720; even so, the lion’s head was sometimes used in later years to indicate a higher composition of silver than sterling.

The town mark indicated the origin of a piece; a large number of different town marks are known today. London used a leopard’s head, but marks elsewhere were often inconsistent. Thus, unique or rare marks often make a piece more collectible.

The date letter mark was first used in London in 1478 and is still enforced by the Worshipful Company today. The date mark indicates the year the piece was assayed—usually but not necessarily the same year as it was produced—with a letter of the alphabet, which changed every year. On special occasions, like the 25th wedding anniversary of George V and Queen Mary in 1934 and 1935, silversmiths would sometimes add an extra mark to commemorate the event.

The maker’s mark became mandatory in 1363 to ensure that a buyer could trace a bad or faulty good back to its maker. Because literacy rates were so low at the time, this mark started out as a sign or symbol, but this was changed to the first two letters of the maker’s surname in the late 16th century. In the 1720s, the mark changed again to the maker’s first and last initial.

Aside from these four marks, pieces from 1784 to 1890 also included a portrait of the current ruler. This mark proved to the government that the piece’s duty had been paid—a most important consideration given England’s massive debt following the American Revolution. This duty was repealed in 1890, and the sovereign mark disappeared along with it. Additionally, silver imported from 1867 onward had an “F” in a shield stamped on it to indicate its foreign origin.

Although marks tell a great deal of information about a piece, collectors should beware of fake marks. Whereas silversmiths used steel dies to punch their marks, forgers often used brass instead, resulting in a blurry mark. These forged marks are sometimes known as soft punches.

Stylistically, British silver followed the trends of the art world around it. In the 17th and early 18th centuries, Baroque was all the rage, with heavily ornamented and elaborate pieces. From 1702 to 1727, styles shifted to the much more restrained and austere Queen Anne and Early Georgian styles.

From then until 1837, the Rococo style took hold, with its organic, asymmetrical, and curved designs. The year 1837 marked the ascendancy of Queen Victoria and the rise of the Victorian silver, which was extravagant and heavily ornamented. In the 1890s, the whiplash curves and organic, asymmetrical shapes of Art Nouveau began to replace the Victorian style, with Tiffany & Co. producing high-quality vases, pitchers, and other types of hollowware.

Art Nouveau itself gave way in the mid-1910s to Art Deco, with its more geometric, stylized designs. Since 1945, the design of decorative and functional silver objects has been mostly modern, incorporating sculptural, organic, and abstract shapes.

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Franklin Mint British Monarchy Sterling Silver Proof Edition No. 2407 104 OzsEnglish Sterling Silver Shell & Scroll Tea Set 1819 Emes & Barnard 57 Oz Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service 8 English Gadroon 33 Pieces No MonogramWonderful Large Heavy English Antique B1905 Solid Sterling Silver Cigar CaseHandsome Large Pair English Antique B1907 Solid Sterling Silver CandlesticksAntique Tiffany Sterling Silver Nut Or Lobster Cracker English King Pattern Nr Superb Large English Antique B1923 Solid Sterling Silver Spirit Hip Flask Sterling Silver English Table Caddy Set Reily & Storer London 1841English Sterling Silver Birds Amidst Floral Baluster Mug 1755 12 OzSuperb English Antique L1795 Georgian Solid Sterling Silver Marrow ScoopLot Of 45 1914 1916 British Halfcrowns .925 Sterling SilverAntique Key Wind Longines Pocket Watch With English Sterling Silver CaseWonderful Heavy English Antique B1904 Solid Sterling Silver Embossed Cherub TrayEnglish Hallmarked Sterling Gilt Lined Smelling Salts Box Letter Date 1814! English Antique Solid Sterling Silver Combination Vesta & Sovereign CaseEnglish 1902 Solid Sterling Silver Scissors With Button Hook * 59.8 Grams *Circa 1822 English Chester Fusee Sterling Silver Open Face Pocket Watch 157.4gBritish Sterling Apostle Tea Spoon Set 8 Pcs. Robert Pringle & Sons 1896 GildedEnglish Sterling Silver William & Mary Re-creation Tankard 1913 Rare SizeLovely English Antique Solid Sterling Silver Cigarette Or Jewel Box B19351884 S.bros Victorian English Birmingham Sterling Silver Bangle Cuff BraceletSet 6 Cased English Sterling Silver Vermeil Coronation Or Annointing Spoons Vintage Hallmarked English Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet & 18 Charms Nuvo ChimAntique Georgian C1778/1818 Hallmarked English London Sterling Silver Cream Jug Fine English Antique Victorian B1895 Solid Sterling Silver Cigarette CaseTiffany Co Sterling Silver Gravy Ladle English King No Reserve1992 English Carrs Of Sheffield Hallmarked Sterling Silver Picture FrameRare 1765 English Sterling Silver Open Salt Cellar Dish London John Munns 2.3 OzGorham English Gadroon Sterling Silver Tea Spoon 1939 Fine Set Of 4- 124.8gTiffany & Co. Auth Sterling English King Two 3 Piece Flatware Place Settings NmEnglish Sterling Silver Hinged Lid Cut Glass Vanity Perfume Bottle Has HallmarksPocket Watch 1868 Sterling Silver English Fusee Lever Hunter Case WorkingSuperb Antique B1896 English Hallmarked Solid Sterling Silver Albert Watch ChainStunning Large Sized Antique English B1897 Solid Sterling Silver Table Snuff BoxVintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Short Column Candlestick England Polish Me1947 England David Sutton & Sons Dunhill Sterling Silver Cigarette Case NoresrveVintage Hallmarked English Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet & 14 Charms Nuvo ChimGreat Large Antique English Sterling Silver Cut Glass Perfume Scent Bottle 1904Superb Antique B1911 English Hallmarked Solid Sterling Silver Albert Watch ChainSuperb Heavy English Antique Victorian L1893 Solid Sterling Silver Cream JugFine Matching Pair English Antique Solid Sterling Silver Napkin Rings B1957Cavour Enameled Case Womens Pocket Watch-sterling Case-new England Watch CoVintag - Sterling Silver, English Hallmarked, Charm Bracelet - 38 Superb CharmsFine Large English Antique B1934 Solid Sterling Silver Cigarette Or Jewel BoxVintage Sterling British S.e.5 Cl Wwi Balsa Model Airplane Kit Nib Fs NrSuperb Large Rare English Antique Ch1913 Solid Sterling Silver Double Stamp CaseQuality Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Vesta Case / Matchsafe Jmb 19cFine Solid Sterling Silver Tooth Fairy Christening Pot English Hlammarked Boxed Antique Blackberry Form Sterling Silver Thimble * English * Hallmarked 1902English Sterling Silver Napkin Ring With Pretty Repousse Pattern 1904Antique Victorian English Sterling Silver Chased Repousse Teapot Wooden HandleLot Of 30 1914 British Halfcrowns .925 Sterling SilverGorham Sterling Silver "english Gadroon" Bon Bon Spoons Set Of (2)Joseph Hicks 1831 Exeter England Sterling Silver Luckenbooth Heart Shaped BroochAntique English Sterling Silver Gentlemans Albert Pocket Watch Chain B'ham 1899Sterling Models Control Line British S.e.5 L821800 King George Iii Maundy Three Pence Sterling Silver (92.5%) British Coin 1884 Queen Victoria - Sixpence (6d) Sterling Silver Coin From Great BritainWw1 Us Tank Corps / English Hallmark Sterling Silver Cigarette Case 1900Lovely English Antique Solid Sterling Silver Thimble In Red Leather Fitted Box

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Open the Pandora's box of oddball items in 'Auction Kings'
Philippine Star, May 17th

A seller brings in an antique desk that he claims belonged to President Thomas Jefferson! If the claim is true, it could break all The massive collection of sterling silver brought in this week makes for auction items that really shine. Paul...Read more

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Sterling silver water pitcher, mermaid, pearls, flowing hair, repousse, Whiting Mfg. Co., c. 1888, 8 5/8 inches, 4,480. You may write to Terry Kovel, c/o Features Department, Winston-Salem Journal, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. As many...Read more

Property from the late Mrs. Nat King Cole to be sold at Matheson's Auctions in ...
Art Daily, May 16th

Bidders will also be treated to numerous examples of fine antique china and glassware, estate jewelry, sterling silver, estate carpets, fine art and sculptures. The fine art category is dotted with some of the foremost names in the industry, starting...Read more

Indy 500 Champion's Items to be Sold
Inside INdiana Business (press release), May 16th

A sterling silver cup to be offered, which will certainly never be weighed for scrap value, is engraved with the words "Water from Wilbur." It was introduced in the Indy 500 winner's circle by then track president, Wilbur Shaw, to the winner of the...Read more

Original Picasso and Remington for Sale at Laster's Fine Art & Antiques in NC
PR Web (press release), May 15th

Since 1973, Larry Laster of Laster's Fine Art & Antiques has built a solid reputation for handling each art appraisal, auction and commissioned consignment professionally and discreetly. They are also sterling silver buyers. Call 336-765-5919 or stop...Read more

At the Galleries
Green Bay Press Gazette, May 15th

Handmade jewelry of more than 25 artists created from many elements including 14-karat gold and sterling silver, many incorporating diamonds and gemstones. Artworks in watercolor, oils, stained glass and pottery. Antiques and furniture. 10 a.m. to 6 p...Read more

Treasure Hunting: Old vases flatter spring flowers
Poughkeepsie Journal, May 12th

For more rustic decors, try earthy ceramic colored vases or antique bronze. The Heintz Art Company, for instance, made gorgeous bronze vases and other items in the early 1900s with silver overlay designs. Its direct competitor, Silver Crest (workers...Read more

Buckhead's silver thief has sterling taste
Atlanta Magazine, May 3rd

Not only is he fastidious, but the thief unerringly heads straight for the sterling, leaving silver-plated items, jewelry, and even laptops or iPhones behind. As any collector—or fan of Antiques Roadshow—knows, it's not easy to tell silver plate from...Read more