Sterling and 14k at the sales this weekend!

[artslinger]

Hello friends, I had a very good garage sale weekend. I scored 73g of 14kt, 4g of 10kt, and 1850 grams of sterling/925. I know how much to expect for the gold, but I'm hesitent about the silver. All silverware is marked sterling and jewelry is marked sterling or 925. As a note, my refinery pays 90% scrap for the gold. What should I expect for the silver? I sincerely thank you for your time and help.

artslinger

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[HistoryTeacher]

By "very good garage sale weekend" do you mean "robbed a jewelry store?" That's like a full year of finds for me! Well done. My gold guy gives 90% for gold and about 85% of spot price times .925 for sterling. You can usually get over spot on ebay but then you have to deduct fees, shipping, and possible numbskulls. Some silverware and silver jewelry can sell way over melt value.

 

[camichael]

History Teacher is correct, some patterns of sterling will bring many times over melt. For example, the large pierced flat piece in your photo is probably a tomato server. I recently sold one for $120. find out the maker and check eBay for current prices.

 

[Red-Coat]

That’s quite a haul. The flatware all seems to be of the same pattern. On some of the pieces I can see Gorham marks with ‘Pat. 95’, and these are Gorham’s ‘Chantilly’ pattern designed by William C. Codman in 1895.

They aren’t necessarily as old as that though. It was a popular pattern in production until at least 1950 and commonly sold in 96 piece sets. Closer examination of the marks would be needed to see if an approximate date can be put to the pieces. Gorham didn't use their date-marking systems on flatware, so the style of the mark is the only (and not tremendously reliable) clue.

Because it was in production for such a long period, there is no particular shortage of items in this pattern for people needing to fill gaps in their sets. It might nevertheless be worth polishing up the undamaged items to see if you can do better than melt. You can see what ‘replacements.com’ charges for individual items at the link below (note there are seven pages), but of course you wouldn’t necessarily be able to sell yours at the same kind of prices:

https://www.replacements.com/silver-gorham-silver-chantilly-sterling-1895-lion-anchor-g/c/30796

 

[artslinger]

I found this spoon in the lot. It is a Tiffany & Co. Reads T&Co Sterling Patent 1885. I was going to include it in the scrap lot. Thanks again to all for your feedback, comments, and help. I, as always, truly appreciate it.

 

[Red-Coat]

I found this spoon in the lot. It is a Tiffany & Co. Reads T&Co Sterling Patent 1885. I was going to include it in the scrap lot.

Nice. That's Tiffany's 'English King' pattern, designed by Charles Grosjean in 1885. Definitely not for the scrap heap.

 

[tamrock]

I went to one yard sale last Saturday. Mostly tools the guy thought were made of gold and silver. Got nothing

 

[artslinger]

Does anybody recognize this mark? Your help is greatly and truly appreciated. Thank you.

artslinger

 

[camichael]

Alvin Manufacturing Co now a division of Gorham.

 

[Red-Coat]

Alvin Manufacturing Co now a division of Gorham.

Alvin it is, but the company only operated as the “Alvin Manufacturing Co.” until about 1893. The serving spoon is ‘Florentine’ pattern, designed by Daniel A. Loeser in 1900, at which time the company operated as the “Alvin-Beiderhase Co” (until 1919). They then became the “Alvin Silver Co.” until acquired by Gorham in 1928.

 

[artslinger]

Thanks to all for your comments, time, and research information. I sincerely and truly appreciate it. Good luck to all of us this weekend!

artslinger