The Journal
Notes on silver & its marks
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A1, A2 and quality numbers on silver plate
A1 on silver plate means the heaviest grade of plating a maker offered, not silver content. A2 sits one step below. Neither mark indicates sterling.
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EPNS vs sterling: five visible differences
The fastest way to tell EPNS from sterling is the mark. Sterling carries a lion passant or 925; EPNS letters mean electroplate, not solid silver.
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Is EPNS worth anything? A real value guide
Most EPNS is worth £5-40 at resale and nothing as scrap. The silver layer is too thin to recover. Value comes from maker, form, and condition, not metal.
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EPNS explained: what the letters stand for
EPNS stands for electroplated nickel silver: a nickel, copper and zinc alloy coated with a thin layer of pure silver. The base metal contains no silver at all.
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Spanish silver hallmarks: star marks and the assay system explained
Spanish silver hallmarks combine a city mark, an assayer’s mark, and a maker’s mark. Since 1934, a star holding a number identifies the registered maker.
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International Silver Company marks: a complete reference
An International Silver Company mark means the piece was made in Meriden, Connecticut after 1898. Most pieces stamped I.S. are plated, not sterling.
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Identify silver hallmarks online: free tools vs. apps
The best way to identify silver hallmarks online is a photo-first app: it reads the mark instantly, while free chart databases need you to decode it yourself.
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How to tell silver plate from sterling without any marks
To tell silver plate from sterling without marks, check weight, magnetism, and worn edges. Sterling is heavier, non-magnetic, and never shows copper underneath.
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Pseudo-hallmarks: decorative marks that aren’t real hallmarks
Pseudo-hallmarks are decorative marks that mimic real hallmarks but guarantee nothing. Struck by makers, not assay offices, they never prove silver content.
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English silver hallmarks: a regional identification map
English silver hallmarks identify the assay town: London used a leopard’s head, Birmingham an anchor, Sheffield a crown. The town mark maps a piece to its region.
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Best app to identify antique silverware patterns in 2026
The best app to identify antique silverware patterns is Antique Identifier – Antiqly, which names the design from a photo of its mark and motif.
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Silver hollowware vs. flatware: identifying and valuing each
Hollowware is silver that holds, like teapots and bowls; flatware is what you eat and serve with, like spoons and forks. Each is marked and valued differently.