Selling Silverware & Coins: What Buyers Look For
A tarnished tea set or a jar of old coins can be worth more than most people expect. Here's how sterling silverware and coin collections are actually evaluated.
How is sterling silverware valued?
Sterling silver is marked .925, meaning it's 92.5% pure silver. Flatware, tea sets, trays and serving pieces are weighed and priced against the live silver spot price. Tarnish, monogramming, and incomplete sets don't reduce the silver content, so they don't significantly affect the offer — a good polish is optional, not required.
What's the difference between silver plate and sterling silver?
Silver plate is a thin layer of silver over a base metal, while sterling silver is solid throughout. Sterling pieces are typically stamped ".925," "sterling," or with a maker's hallmark. Silver-plated items generally contain very little recoverable silver, but bring them in and we'll check the markings for you.
How are gold and silver coins evaluated?
Most coins fall into one of two categories: bullion coins, valued primarily by their precious metal weight, and numismatic (collectible) coins, which can carry an additional premium based on rarity, condition and demand among collectors. We evaluate both — bullion coins against the live spot price, and collectible coins with an eye toward their numismatic value as well.
Do I need to sort or research my coins first?
No — bring the full collection as-is. Sorting isn't necessary, and it's easy to overlook a valuable coin without professional experience. We'll go through everything and flag anything with extra collectible value beyond its metal content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy incomplete flatware sets?
Yes — sets don't need to be complete to be evaluated by weight.
Do you buy foreign or old coins?
Yes, we evaluate coins from many countries and eras for both metal and collectible value.
Is tarnish a problem?
No — tarnish is only surface-level and doesn't affect the silver content underneath.
Have silverware or a coin collection to evaluate?
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