"Sterling 90" What does that mean?

[Piledriver]

Well, gang, I made a contact at a yard sale that resulted in a phone call about a "silver" hand mirror.

Over the phone I was told it had the word "Sterling" on it, so I told them I wanted to see it.

I soon had the item in my hands, and sure enough, there, on the top of the handle under the mirror in the front of it, after some oriental characters, it had the "Sterling" stamp, in nice, aged patina that did not look recent.

But one thing that troubled me (other than the impossible amount the owner wanted for it) was the fact that the Sterling was closely followed by the number 90, as in: Sterling 90.

I have been accustomed to think that 90 denotes silver plate.

Since I did not buy it, it is now out of reach, but curiosity would like to know more about that stamp.

If I am wrong, please enlighten me....I am all ears.

 

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[GibH]

Probably silver. I don't think that was an uncommon mark on older pieces.

 

[diggummup]

I think the 90 may be a reference or style number for whomever produced it. Maybe it was part of a set that all had that same number on them. 90 without the added "sterling" would denote German plate I believe.

 

[captain flintlock]

I would have to agree with diggummup. 90 is probably the style or pattern #.

 

[randazzo1]

I agree on model no. Sometimes manufacturers undermarked purity to dodge import/export duties.

 

[Piledriver]

Thanks, Everybody!
I have loved learning the craft.

 

[NHBandit]

Could also be coin Silver which is commonly 90% pure. This is a coin Silver spoon that's a family heirloom from the mid 1800s.

 

[diggummup]

Could also be coin Silver which is commonly 90% pure. This is a coin Silver spoon that's a family heirloom from the mid 1800s.

coin silver is not sterling though. Sterling has to be a minimum of 925/1000's pure.

 

[diggummup]

AKA 92.5 % silver.

lol

 

[silverdollarbill]

Could also be coin Silver which is commonly 90% pure. This is a coin Silver spoon that's a family heirloom from the mid 1800s.

That is an interesting spoon. Looks more like a shovel. Do you know what it's used for?

 

[diggummup]

That is an interesting spoon. Looks more like a shovel. Do you know what it's used for?

It's a sugar shovel.

 

[ARC]

The "90" mark usually denotes plate... it is a German mark meaning 90 grams of PURE silver were used in production of the piece...
BUT with yours "pure" silver was not used...
"Sterling" silver was used... SO... IMO... the piece would be plated with 90 grams of Sterling.

But ? Who knows... maybe some google searches are in order here.

 

[silverdollarbill]

It's a sugar shovel.

Thanks...that makes sense. Couldn't tell scale from pic. Thought it was much bigger.

 

[diggummup]

The "90" mark usually denotes plate... it is a German mark meaning 90 grams of PURE silver were used in production of the piece...
BUT with yours "pure" silver was not used...
"Sterling" silver was used... SO... IMO... the piece would be plated with 90 grams of Sterling.

But ? Who knows... maybe some google searches are in order here.

When it comes to German silver plated cutlery the "90" mark means that 90 grams of "fine silver" were used to make a set of 12 forks and spoons. The sterling 90 mark that the op is referring to would not mean the same.
Numbers on Silverplate - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks