What do i have? Sterling 450 box

[CoinFetcher]

Help,

This is supposedly from Yale in the 30s. A bunch of names carved in the top of a 14 ozt stamped sterling 450, and an insignia i cant identify.. 9 inch by 4 inch. Wood lined on inside bottom.

The stamp actually looks like a TA.

Any help? Does 450 rep. Fineness??

 

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[bluehunter1973]

I know there are certain purities of silver sometimes placed on silver items. But when its stamped sterling it should be above .925. any makers marks or other info?

 

[CoinFetcher]

A T over A makers mark in block letters. I have seen similar boxes online, and they have different initials. It's worn, and hard to capture.

Maybe I should post in G sale finds.

I thought sterling meant 925, not another number.. I am new to the sterling game, but loving the finds!

 

[bluehunter1973]

A T over A makers mark in block letters. I have seen similar boxes online, and they have different initials. It's worn, and hard to capture.

Maybe I should post in G sale finds.

I thought sterling meant 925, not another number.. I am new to the sterling game, but loving the finds!

Scouting for silver can get costly. Reproductions and fakes are very common. Some sterling is magnetic some isn't. If your in it for scrap than grind it a little and test with acid. Or just take it to a cash for gold shop. Watch for sterling filled and plated items. No silver turns green. If its cheap you can get away with buying it just to see and resale at a garage sale for the next person who isnt sure just to make your cash back. You can make a lot of money or you can go broke quick. But I'm 95% sure yours is not real but I could be wrong. I do have a few T over A pieces that are plated.

 

[CoinFetcher]

Hmmm. Well passes magnet test. I should jut gouge and acid test.

Did you notice the top is autographed by about 20 cursive signatures. Seems like its from a early decade. Repros, and fakes produced much in the 30 through 50s?

 

[bluehunter1973]

I myself would test it. worst it could do is turn green

 

[CoinFetcher]

Yeah,looks like it was really signed by Clint e frank. A heisman an trophy winner. I guess I'll repost in sport memorabilia.

 

[bluehunter1973]

sound familiar to this Yale Alpha Delta Phi Silver Cigarette Box 1922 - 193 (01/21/2007)...

 

[CoinFetcher]

Wow, yeah that's it.

I only have 11 signatures, and no dates. I would guess that it's a box from a reunion from a later date than the one in the ad. Perhaps they would buy a sterling box from the same jewelry store for their yearly or 5 yearly get together.

Thanks for finding the other ad.

http://www.mysticfuneralhome.com/obituary.php?id=1133

This gentlemans signature is also on the box.

 

[bluehunter1973]

welcome

 

[Wilmingtonsilver]

Being a fraternity guy myself, my first thought was that it was a discarded fraternity gift. Many times a fraternity pledge class will make gifts for the fraternity president and their pledge master. The pledge class tries to think of an item that the receivers will hold onto and then they personalize it. this might have been something left over in an estate sale at one point.

I can't tell from the pictures on where the 450 is located, but if it is not associated with the maker's mark, it could have some significance to the fraternity, if indeed it is fraternity related.

 

[CoinFetcher]

The 450 is on the bottom. It's under the T over A, and sterling on the bottom. It does not seem to me to be the frat number. The cogarette box in the link from blue hunter describes it perfectly, but minehas only with 11 signatures.

 

[Wilmingtonsilver]

The 450 is on the bottom. It's under the T over A, and sterling on the bottom. It does not seem to me to be the frat number. The cogarette box in the link from blue hunter describes it perfectly, but minehas only with 11 signatures.

That is what makes me thinkit is a pledge class gift. Pledge classes vary in size. So while one gift may have 20 signatures, another may only have 11, or less.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very interesting post and story behind your find CoinFetcher!
Hope you've figured out how the AT Pro works, certainly the best machine I've ever used!

Dave

 

[diggummup]

Old thread I know but the number on the bottom with the sterling mark is a manufacturers number used to identify that particular model or pattern of that box.

Sent from my LGMS330 using Tapatalk

 

[Tpmetal]

Stirling is .925 silver or better mixed with copper, zinc, or nickle (maybe others?)

 

[A2coins]

cool piece

 

[Hawks88]

Very nice piece for sure. I’d keep it.

 

[CoinFetcher]

Hey folks - i use it to keep my metal detecting finds now!

I wish I had a worthpoint account, because that worthpoint link in the first page is the same box if I believe.

Have a good day everyone!

 

[xr7ator]

I've seen and found some sterling 950. You sure it's a 4? Otherwise, maybe it is an item#.