Is Sterling Silver Worth Anything?
It’s Just Silver... Right?
Why Your Silver Might Be More Valuable Than You Think
We can’t tell you how many times someone has walked into our shop, holding a handful of old forks, a tarnished necklace, or a mismatched candlestick, and said, “It’s probably not worth much—it’s just silver.”
We always smile when we hear that, because 9 times out of 10, what they brought us has value.
Sterling silver isn’t just “the cheaper version of gold.” It’s a noble metal with real value. Noble metals, such as gold, platinum, and silver, are considered precious metals due to their resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Noble metals are found in their purest form in nature, and they are rare. This rarity, coupled with its extreme durability, makes silver valuable.
If you’ve got sterling silver lying around—maybe inherited, maybe bought years ago, or even something you picked up at a yard sale—don’t sell it short. Whether it’s jewelry, flatware, or an old tea set, your silver is worth something.
Let’s break it down, so you can get a better idea of what you really have—and what it could be worth.
What Is Sterling Silver, Really?
Before we explain what sterling silver is, let’s first identify the other common silver purities.
If you’ve ever flipped over a spoon or looked at the inside of a ring and seen a jumble of tiny symbols or numbers, that’s your silver trying to tell you what it’s made of. And those little marks matter a lot.
Here’s a quick guide to the most common types of silver purities you might run into:
Fine Silver
This is 99.9% pure silver—sometimes marked as “.999” or “Fine Silver.” It’s as close to pure as it gets.
While it sounds impressive (and it is), fine silver is very soft, which makes it impractical for most jewelry or flatware. It scratches easily and bends under pressure, so it’s mostly used for silver bars, bullion, or coins that are meant to be collected—not used.
That said, if you’ve got a fine silver coin or bar, you’re holding something valuable. These pieces are typically bought and sold by weight, like gold bullion.
Britannia Silver
This one’s a little less common in the U.S., but it’s out there—especially on antique European pieces. Britannia silver is 95.8% pure silver, making it even higher grade than sterling.
Look for:
The Britannia figure hallmark (helmeted woman with a shield)
“958”
It was introduced in England in the late 1600s as a higher standard of silver, and often have both historical and intrinsic value.
Coin Silver
Coin silver clocks in at around 90% silver, and while it’s less pure than sterling, it’s still worth real money—especially if the piece is antique or collectible. In early America, silversmiths often melted down silver coins to make flatware and other goods, which is where the name comes from.
Hallmarks might be:
“Coin”
Or sometimes just a maker’s mark, especially on older U.S. silver
So What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is the most common high-quality silver used for things like jewelry, utensils, and decorative items. It’s made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals—usually copper—to give it strength.
Look for hallmarks like:
925
Sterling or Ster
The Lion Passant (a small lion symbol often found on British silver)
This is the kind of silver most people bring in, and it definitely holds real value.
Silver-plated vs. Sterling Silver: Big Difference
Here’s the catch: silver-plated items look similar but aren’t worth much at all. They’re made from cheaper metals (like brass or nickel) with a super thin layer of silver on top—so thin, it’s barely measurable. Sterling silver, on the other hand, has real weight and value behind it.
The Pretenders: German Silver & Nickel Silver
German Nickel & Nickel has no silver at all.
This is where things get tricky.
“German silver” and “nickel silver” sound fancy, but they’re not silver at all. Not even a little.
These metals are made of a mix of nickel, copper, and zinc. They just look silver-colored, but they have zero actual silver content.
Common misleading marks:
“German Silver”
“Nickel Silver”
“Alpaca” or “Alpacca”
If it doesn’t say “925,” “Sterling,” or another real silver hallmark, it’s probably just silver-colored. These pieces may still be pretty or sentimental, but they don’t hold melt value.
How is the value of silver determined?
As with any other precious metal, the price you will get for your silver is calculated taking its intrinsic and extrinsic value into account.
Together, these will give you an indication of the market value of silver.
Intrinsic Value of Silver
This is the core value of silver and is based on the purity of your silver, or how much silver your item contains.
This is what’s known as the melt value or scrap value—basically, how much your item is worth just based on the silver content, not the design, age, or who made it (we’ll talk about those things in a bit).
Silver prices change constantly—just like the stock market—based on things like supply and demand, global events, and investor trends.
There are several websites such as JM Bullion, that display the current spot price of silver, which is the price for 1 troy ounce of pure silver.
Silver Value Calculator
Estimate the melt value of your silver item based on its type and weight.
Please Note: Buyers don’t pay exactly spot price. It is almost always lower. That’s because refining, handling, and resale costs combined with extrinsic value all come into play. A reputable silver buyer will however base their offer on the current market value and explain how they arrived at the price they offer.
Extrinsic Value of Silver - 5 Factors That Makes Silver Worth Even More
So now you know how to calculate the melt value of your silver based on weight and purity—but that’s only part of the story.
Let’s talk about the “extras” that can turn an ordinary-looking silver piece into something seriously valuable.
1. Craftsmanship & Design: Art Matters
Silver is a precious metal, but it’s also an art form. Handcrafted or designer pieces can command much more than melt value.
Some vintage items made by reputable silversmiths or with intricate handmade designs may have more value.
Keep an eye out for:
Hand-engraved or detailed pieces
Items with intricate patterns or repoussé work
Unique or rare design styles like Art Deco, Victorian, or Mid-Century Modern
2. Brand Names & Maker’s Marks: Silver With a Signature
Some names add instant value—just like a designer label does in fashion. If your item is stamped with any of the following, it could be worth far more than scrap:
Tiffany & Co.
Georg Jensen
Gorham
Wallace
International Silver
Christofle (French silverware)
These brands are sought after by collectors and dealers alike. And yes—even if it’s tarnished or has a small ding, the brand can still make it valuable.
Pro tip: Flip the item over and look for a maker’s mark. If you’re not sure what it means, snap a picture and Google it or show it to a silver buyer. It could be your ticket to a higher payout.
3. Age & Rarity: Antiques Speak Volumes
Silver pieces that are vintage or antique often carry a value that goes well beyond their weight, especially if they come from a specific period or have documented history.
Look out for:
Art Deco (1920s–30s): Clean lines and geometric shapes
Victorian (mid-to-late 1800s): Ornate, romantic, floral designs
Mid-Century Modern: Sleek and minimalist (think Georg Jensen)
Even coin silver from the 1800s can be highly collectible, especially if made by a known silversmith.
4. Condition (But Don’t Worry If It’s Not Perfect)
While condition does play a role, don’t assume tarnished or slightly damaged items are worthless. Some collectors actually prefer a natural patina—and many flaws can be fixed.
In general:
Complete sets fetch more (e.g., all matching spoons in a box)
Small dents or tarnish are usually okay
Broken jewelry can still be sold for weight or repurposed
5. Historical or Sentimental Value: Sometimes It’s More Than Money
Every now and then, someone brings in a piece with a backstory that’s just as valuable as the item itself. A signed sterling cigarette case from WWII. A Victorian chatelaine passed down through generations. These items may fetch extra value not only for their metal, but for their story.
If you suspect your item has a unique origin or interesting history, don’t rush to sell it as scrap. Have someone take a closer look—it might be a collector’s dream.
How to Sell Your Silver
If you’ve got silver you’re thinking about parting with, the big question is:
Where do you go?
And more importantly, how do you make sure you’re getting a fair deal?
1. Know What You Have
Before you sell, get a basic understanding of your item:
Is it sterling, coin, Britannia, or fine silver?
How much does it weigh?
What’s the current spot price of silver?
Are there any maker’s marks or hallmarks?
If you are unsure, make sure to speak to a precious metal expert to provide you with the needed guidance.
2. Look for Precious Metal Buyers or Antique Dealers depending on your item
A reputable local buyer can assess:
The metal value (based on live silver prices)
The design, condition, and maker
Any collector interest
You get a face-to-face transaction, real explanations, and often cash on the spot.
A buyer with your best interest at heart will tell you when something is worth more than just melt weight.
In such cases, especially for rare or vintage pieces, antique dealers or auctioneers might offer a higher price based on artistry or age.
3. Get Multiple Offers. Even If You Think You’re in a Hurry
It’s tempting to take the first offer, especially if the cash is on the table. But even calling two or three buyers can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars, especially for larger or unique items.
So, is sterling silver worth anything? Yes! Your silver has value.
Whether it’s a tangle of old silver chains in a drawer, a tea set from your grandmother, or a few mismatched forks you picked up at an estate sale—it’s worth taking a closer look.
Not Sure What You’ve Got?
Bring it in to our luxury pawn shop in Downtown Pittsburgh, or schedule an online meeting.
Seriously—there’s no pressure and no obligation. You don’t need to polish it or figure out all the hallmarks. We’ll walk you through the valuation and explain what you have and what it’s worth.
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