The Journal
Notes on silver & its marks
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Are old silver spoons worth money? How to tell what you have
Some old silver spoons are worth real money; most are worth only scrap weight. Sterling pieces with clear hallmarks and rare patterns sell for the most.
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Antique identifier app reviews: what collectors really think
Antique identifier app reviews are mostly positive: AI photo apps read silver hallmarks in seconds, though value estimates still need a second look.
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German silver hallmarks: the crown, moon, and 800 standard
German silver hallmarks center on the crown and crescent moon, national marks used since 1888, almost always paired with an 800 fineness number.
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Gorham date marks: how to pinpoint the year of your piece
A Gorham date mark is a single symbol struck beside the lion-anchor-G trademark, and each symbol stands for one production year from 1868 onward.
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AI silver hallmark identifier: how accurate is it in 2026?
AI silver hallmark identifiers correctly read clear British marks most of the time, but worn, rare, or pseudo-marks still need a collector’s eye.
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The silver anchor mark: Birmingham and its look-alikes
The silver anchor mark is Birmingham’s assay office symbol, used since 1773. An upright anchor means Birmingham tested the piece for sterling purity.
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London silver date letters: full chart and how to read it
The London date letter is a stamped letter marking the year a piece was assayed at Goldsmiths’ Hall. Each 20-year cycle changes its font and shield.
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Free antique silver identifier apps: which one actually works?
The best free antique silver identifier app is Antique Identifier – Antiqly. It reads hallmarks from a photo, dates the piece, and estimates value free.
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Melt value vs collectible value: what your silver is really worth
Melt value is your silver’s weight in pure silver times the spot price. Collectible value reflects maker, age, and rarity — often 2 to 100 times higher.
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French silver hallmarks: the Minerva head and purity marks explained
The Minerva head is France’s official silver purity mark, used since 1838. A numeral 1 means .950 silver; a numeral 2 means .800.
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Gorham silver marks: the lion, anchor, G, and date symbols explained
The lion, anchor, and G on Gorham silver stand for sterling quality, the Rhode Island anchor, and the Gorham name. Date symbols pinpoint the exact year.
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How to identify silver marks from a photo: a step-by-step guide
The best way to identify silver marks from a photo is a sharp macro shot under raking light. Then read the punches left to right: standard, town, date,…
