How Much Is A Sterling Silver Spoon Worth: Complete guide

Have you recently come across some antique silver spoons? Are you wondering? How Much Is A sterling silver Spoon Worth? 

Let us tell you that a sterling silver spoon can be worth anywhere between 5 USD to 2500 USD. The majority of sterling silver spoons are worth less than 60 USD, and a significantly high percentage of silver spoons sell for less than 30 USD.

Moreover, the silver-plated spoons can be priced for under 5 USD. The most costly sterling silver spoon ever sold was worth 32,500 USD at Heritage Auction in 2021.

In the following article, apart from How Much Is A Sterling Silver Spoon Worth, you will get to know some other valuable information related to antique silver spoons, including ways to identify them.

What is an Antique Silver Spoon?

In general, the term silverware refers to forks, spoons, and knives, which are mostly described as cutlery in our households. These are typically called silverware as they are either made of silver, have the appearance of silver, or have a coating of silver.

Antique silver spoons come in various forms, such as tablespoons, teaspoons, dessert spoons, sugar sifter spoons, etc. Valuable antique silver spoons are either made of real silver or coated with it.

Antique Silverware Identification Guide

In the following, we have provided an identification guide for antique silverware.

Silver Hallmarks Identification Guide

1. EP: EP is an acronym for Electro Plated.

2. BP: BP stands for Britannia Plated.

3. EPNS: Nickel silver is a copper alloy with nickel and zinc. The general proportions are 60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc.

In the United States of America and the United Kingdom, Silverware that uses this alloy was used to be marked EPNS, which stands for Electro Plated Nickel Silver.

4. EPBM: The Britannia metal that is utilized in the United Kingdom and the USA consists of 93% tin, 5% antimony, and 2% copper, and items made of this metal used to be marked EPBM which is an acronym for Electro Plated Britannia Metal.

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Antique Silver Spoon Markings

Sterling silver and silverplate flatware were mostly seen to be marked, and the pavement of the markings can differ from item to item.

Antique silver spoons generally have a hallmark on the opposite side of the handle, just below the bowl.

On the other hand, the forks acquire a silver marking near the shoulder or the wider portion.

The silver knives and some of the silver serving items can have markings on the collar, encompassing the handle.

Antique Silverware value

The following steps can help you discover the value of your antique silverware  

1. Clean your Silverware

Properly cleaning your silverware using white spirit and mild abrasive cream will allow you to clean the dirt and tarnish, and see the markings and patterns on the spoon.

2. Sterling Silver or Silverplate

Sterling silver is more valuable than silver plate. To identify if your silverware is sterling silver or silverplate, look for an engraved ‘sterling’ on the spoon.’

3. Is It Valuable?

The value of silver-plate is completely dependent on their looks and aesthetics.

The value of sterling silver is determined on the basis of its weight, design, age, condition, and aesthetics.

4. How Much Is an Antique Silver Spoon Worth?

Sterling silver spoons can be worth anywhere between 5 USD to 2500 USD. Silverplate spoons are often worth 1 USD to 15 USD.

5. Hallmarks, Manufacturer, and Pattern

Utilize the online guides for inspecting the hallmark for recognizing the manufacturer and pattern. 

By putting the features on the Google search bar, you can find similar pieces for sale and the price guides can help you determine their value.

6. Antique Silver Spoon Value

Look through the documented antique examples and comprehensive mark guides to assist you in determining the true value of a marked silver spoon.

Valuing an Antique Spoon

The following steps will help you in valuing an antique silver spoon –

1. Make sure to utilize a digital camera for clicking a prominent and detailed picture of the spoon. Save the image and print it out for keeping records.

2. Carefully measure the spoon and then write down the measurements in a notepad. Don’t forget to note the special writing features or designs if there are any on the spoon.

3. Make sure to use a magnifying glass to spot the maker’s marks and hallmarks on the opposite side of the spoon, and write down those as well.
   Write down if you find any marks such as pattern name, or serial numbers.
   Make a comparison between the hallmarks that you’ve found and the hallmarks in any hallmark guide.
   Make a note of vital information you’ve found in the book, including the probable manufacturing date and country of origin.

4. Look through a guide of souvenir spoons for comparing the design and name of your spoon. A well-known guide that you can consider checking is SouvenierSpoons.com.

5. Look through online auction sites such as eBay to see if you can find a similar spoon from the same manufacturer or hallmark for getting an idea of the spoon’s potential value.

6. You can look for an appraiser who specializes in antique spoons to find out the value of a spoon which does not have a mark, or that you are unable to value on your own.

What makes a rare antique spoon valuable?

Though rarity can affect the value of an antique, not every rare item is worth high value. There are several factors that can impact the value of rare antique spoons, such as – 

• Material- The rare antique silver spoons are considered to be more valuable compared to the spoons made of other materials.

• Age- To be considered an antique, a spoon requires to be at least 100 years old. Older spoons have more value compared to new ones.

• Beauty- if the appearance of a spoon is eye-pleasing, then it will most likely be worth more.

• Condition- A rare spoon can lose its value if it isn’t in a good condition, and have scratches and damaged parts. Monograms can lower a spoon’s value as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I sell my sterling silver spoons?

You can sell your sterling silver spoons by taking them to a pawn shop, silver exchange, or contacting an online buyer. The customers will pay you depending on the purity and weight of the silver; hence, the purer and heavier your item, the more price you will get.

2. How can you tell if a spoon is a silver?

• Look if there is any hallmark or stamp on the reverse side of the spoon.

• Test the spoon using a magnet. As Silver is non-magnetic, if your spoon is silver it won’t get attached to the magnet.

• Sniff the spoon to check if there is any smell. Silver is odorless.

3. How do you know if a spoon is valuable?

• Examine the hallmark or stamp, if there is any on the spoon.

• Compare the markings with a hallmark guide.

• Search on the online auction sites to look for a similar one.

• Consult with an expert or a professional appraisal.

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