SILVER CUTLERY – VALUATIONS, GUIDE & TIPS

What is silver cutlery worth?

The age of dinner parties and formal dining at home may not be as popular as it once was. However, services of silver cutlery (also known as flatware) are much in demand. Some services can sell for over £10,000 and most 12 place setting services are worth many £1000’s.

Even if you have an odd selection of silver cutlery it might be worth £100’s.

If you have a service of flatware or collection of silver cutlery that you would like to sell or have valued then we can help. This guide will act as a good starting point, helping you understand what to look for and why prices can vary so much.

What is silver cutlery worth?

Even if you have an odd selection of silver cutlery it might be worth £100’s.

Hallmarks

The first and most important matter is to understand if you silver cutlery is indeed sterling silver or if it is silver plate.

Silver plated flatware or cutlery is very low in value no matter what the quality or quantity.

If you don’t know whether or not your service is made of sterling silver you can learn how to read a hallmark here. You can also email images of the marks on your silver cutlery and we will be happy to advise you.

Click the image to find out how to read a hallmark.

A full service or just a few odd pieces?

A straight service means that every piece of your silver cutlery has the same marks. This implies that it has always been together and has not been added to over the years. It will, therefore, sell for a premium

However, even an odd ollection of silver cutlery can have a high value as long as it is made from sterling silver.

Hallmarks

The first and most important matter is to understand if you silver cutlery is indeed sterling silver or if it is silver plate.

Silver plated flatware or cutlery is very low in value no matter what the quality or quantity.

IIf you don’t know whether or not your service is made of sterling silver you can learn how to read a hallmark here. You can also email images of the marks on your silver cutlery and we will be happy to advise you.

A full service or just a few odd pieces?

However, even an odd collection of silver cutlery can have a high value as long as it is made from sterling silver.

Pattern

The pattern of your silver cutlery is also an important factor as some designs are rarer than others. The most common patterns are:

Kings Pattern, Queens Pattern, Old English Pattern, Hanoverian Pattern, Fiddle Pattern, Fiddle Thread and, Shell Pattern, Fiddle and Thread Pattern.

Even a collection of odd silver pieces cutlery can still be worth £100’s.

Pattern

Number of place settings

The number of place settings is the next factor to look for. To be considered a service the general rule the minimum number of place settings is 6.

If you just have odd pieces they can still have a value as people may use them to make up place settings for their own service.

Number of pieces

A basic service of silver cutlery may only contain a table fork, table knife and dessert spoon. However, some services contain up to 20 items per place setting and may contain:

Table knives
Dessert forks
Dessert knives
Dessert spoons
Soup spoons
Fish forks

Fish knives
Butter knives
Teaspoons
Coffeespoons

A very extensive place setting of silver cutlery – note how many different types of knife, fork and spoon there are. Some of the items are serving implments and the inclusion of such pieces is a good selling point.

Number of Place Settings

The number of place settings is the next factor to look for. As a general rule the minimum number of place settings is 6 – this means that there is a service of silver cutlery for 6 people. As the number increases the value also increases. We have sold 36 place services of silver cutlery for customers in the past, but such high numbers are not common. The most common, and also most popular, is a 12 place setting.

Number of pieces

A basic service of silver cutlery may only contain a table fork, table knife and dessert spoon. However, some services contain up to 20 items per place setting and may contain:

Table knives
Dessert forks
Dessert knives
Dessert spoons
Soup spoons
Fish forks
Fish knives
Butter knives
Teaspoons
Coffeespoons

Weight

The weight of the service is also important as silver has an intrinsic value in itself. We ask for the weight so we can ascertain the quality or gauge of the items. Some table forks may weigh as little as 50g, some may weigh over 400g!

If you can provide a weight of just one item then we would ask for the weight of the table fork as this is normally the heaviest item.

In an ideal world we would ask for the weight of one place setting. This means the combined weight in grams of one of each item from the service.

Canteens

Technically a canteen is a container for a service of silver flatware or silver cutlery. If your service of silver cutlery is contained within a canteen then it may add a slight premium depending on the quality of the canteen. You can always provide an image of the canteen for us to asses if you like.

A wonderful Queen Anee style canteen containing an extensive service of silver flatware.

Weight

Canteens

A wonderful Queen Anee style canteen containing an extensive service of silver flatware.

Condition

Once all of the above factors have been taken into account condition is the final factor to be taken into account.

The most important items to look at are the forks. The tines should be level and even – if they have been used excessively then the tines may appear on an angle and this is not good news unfortunately as they cannot be restored.

Surface scratches and marks are not so much of a problem and are to be expected with normal use and wear.

Condition

Once all of the above factors have been taken into account condition is the final factor to be taken into account.

Auction or private sale?

Auction houses typically charge the seller 20% commission and the buyer 25% commission. This means you only get back 55% of what the buyer was prepared to pay.

We only charge 10% commission if we sell it privately. This means you get back 90% of what the buyer was prepared to pay.

An elegant Dognose pattern service of cutlery.

Auction or private sale?

Auction houses typically charge the seller 20% commission and the buyer 25% commission. This means you only get back 55% of what the buyer was prepared to pay.

We only charge 10% commission if we sell it privately. This means you get back 90% of what the buyer was prepared to pay.

FREE SILVER FLATWARE VALUATIONS

If you would like a free, no obligation valuation of your silver cutlery please use the form below.

You can also email details about your silver canteen to [email protected] or call us on 01270 440357.

Free Online Antique Valuation Form

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CUSTOMER REVIEWS

We have helped sell hundreds of items for our clients. You can read their reviews by searching Google, Yell or Facebook for Mark Littler. Here is just a selection.

Helpful, knowledgeable, professional and got me a good deal with the minimum of effort.Great communication and an easy trustworthy person to deal with.I would definitely recommend Mark and have no hesitation in dealing with him again.Many thanks from Mel Cross.

Mel Cross

17:04 26 Jun 17

I had some old coins to sell, and had no real idea how to get the best price for them. Mark found a buyer who paid a fair price, better than I would have got at either auction or to a 'cash for gold' type company. Whole process was fast, professional and of all, lucrative!

martin corlett-moss

08:13 18 May 17

Great service from Mark Littler. Very nice and extremely helpful. Always kept in contact and made the process an easy one. Would definitely recommend to anyone selling any bottle.

Emily Foulds

08:06 26 Jun 17

Mark has been a great help and has offered a service that I haven't come across before. He presents different options and explains procedures very clearly. He has been patient and encouraging with my questions. I love his enthusiasm and his obvious expertise and knowledge. The icing on the cake! He comes to my house, takes away things (that have some value) I don't want anymore and sells them for me. He makes it so easy.

Christine Chevalier

17:50 05 Mar 17

Mark was honest, straight forward and very knowledgable. He gave excellent advice on which he followed through. Outstanding, Thank you.

george Coventry

08:57 27 Jun 17

Mark delivered a superb service from start to finish. I was unsure about many things at the beginning of the process, and he helped me come to the right decision without rushing me or making me feel under 'sales' pressure. His knowledge is outstanding. Highly recommended.

carolyne osner

07:41 21 Jul 17

Mark took the time to listen and understand what I wanted to do re the sale of my furniture and was proactive in finding me a good buyer. Sale went through quickly and with no hitches. A very good service overall.

Steve Carr

10:50 30 Jul 17

Mark was very helpful and professional. He knows a lot about his antiques and was very honest about our deal. He was very organised and prompt when we met and everything went through smoothly. Great service, would be happy to deal with him again anytime.Thankyou MarkDavid

David Brickell

09:25 31 Jul 17

Mark sold a cask of whisky which I had inherited and did not know what to do with. The offer I got through Mark was much higher than the distillery had offered me and the whole process was simple and best of all, profitable! He explained all of the steps I needed to take in a straightforward manner and no question was too small for him to answer. Well recommended.

James Harwood

10:34 01 Aug 17

Mark has been brilliant since the very first email through to payment. I had contacted a few people about some whiskey and port I had for sale and he was by far the most professional. He achieved a price three times the amount I had been offered by someone in London. I would highly recommend speaking to Mark before you commit to selling anywhere else!

Vanessa Sweeney

09:14 07 Sep 17

Mark is likeable, professional, reliable and his fee basis is 'transparent' and fair. He came up with a buyer for our art print without delay. He offers sound advice on various routes to market. Recommended!

G Green

15:43 24 Sep 17

An exemplary service. Mark demonstrated he has superb knowledge combined with excellent industry contacts. First class communications, trustworthy and a thoroughly professional approach from start to finish. Mark obtained a fantastic result for a piece of rare silver for me and offered additional advice and guidance to help further my hobby. I will definitely be using his services again and recommend that you do the same.

Andrew Wilkin

14:18 11 Oct 17

Mark was very helpful and knew just where to place our items for sale. Cutlery went very quickly, silver goblets went to auction and sold for more than we expected. We would certainly use Mark again and we would happily recommend him to others.

John Ayling

12:47 25 Oct 17

Mark is most professional whilst being friendly and helpful - a rare combination. My experience involved a Lowry print which he advised on and helped me with in a way that put me totally at ease. He advises without any pressure and his charging system is totally clear and very fair. Go to Mark and you can be assured that he will help you by securing the best outcome for you. I have been more than impressed!

Chris Eyre

09:23 17 Nov 17

For some time I have had a bottle of whisky which I thought might be valuable. I contacted Mark Littler and within a few days he had found a buyer and had arranged a very good price for me. Everything about the operation was professional and Mark himself was friendly and most knowledgeable. In a deal like this you have to have an honest and reliable agent and Mark most certainly is. I would recommend his services to anyone.

Peter Fergus

16:58 04 Dec 17

I have just sold a large cask of Arran whisky I purchased in 1996 after finding Mark's website and comparing his service to other brokers.I could not be happier with the sale price, it was substantial and approx two thousand more than the next best offer. Mark is very helpful and has excellent communication skills. The sale went very smoothly and promptly.I would not hesitate to use his services again and recommend him to any other sellers of high value casks.

Ivan Anton

11:01 11 Jan 18

Mark was very helpful and professional from initial valuation to finished sale. He sold an item on my behalf to a third party with the minimum of effort on my part. Good communication at all stages and has proven to be an easy and trustworthy person to deal with. I would very much recommend Mark to anyone else with valuable items to sell.

David Wilson

19:41 14 Feb 18

Mark is extremely trustworthy, friendly, patient and honest and demonstrated a superb knowledge and enthusiasm for all the items he sold for us. He has great industry contacts and gave excellent advice and communication throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend Mark and would certainly use his services again!

Jennifer Angus

13:35 01 Mar 18

Mark was highly knowledgeable, extremely pleasant and totally efficient. The service was professional and fast and Mark kept us informed as to exactly what would happen and when....great result for all concerned. Very pleased to have the opportunity to write this review and would have no hesitation recommending Mark to anyone.

Brian Booth

07:37 13 Mar 18

Mark has been an enormous help to me in selling two bottles of whisky which I bought many years ago but are now too valuable just to drink! He obtained an offer for them which, at first, I could not believe. However, the money is now in my bank account waiting for me to decide what to spend it on. I would highly recommend Mark's professional and very friendly approach as well as his prompt attention to any email or text enquiries. I would not hesitate to use his services again.

Margaret Ross

14:26 28 Mar 18

From my initial contact with Mark the whole experience of selling my cask of 1989 Macallan Whisky has been a breeze. Mark was very helpful, exceedingly dedicated and totally professional at all times.It was an excellent service provided at a very reasonable cost. Mark obtained a fantastic six-figure sum for my cask which I am completely over the moon with.I would not hesitate to recommend his services to others.

Tim Johnson

10:42 24 Apr 18

A seamless experience from start to finish with Mark and an absolute pleasure to deal with. Nothing was too much trouble and a very fast response time. Incredibly professional, organised and customer service was outstanding - a rare find these days. Will continue to sell other items through Mark and wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services.

Jane Kenyon

08:48 27 Apr 18

From the initial engagement through to sale and after service, Mark provided a reliable and professional service. He was very knowledgeable and kept us fully informed through every step of the sale. He has a good network of contacts and was able to arrange the sale of our Whiskey quickly and obtained a fantastic result. Would be happy to do business with him again and would recommend his services.

Neil George

08:58 03 May 18

I had a signed limited edition print to sell and although I had an idea of its approximate value I had no idea how best to achieve that figure. I contacted Mark and he advised me on the possible options and made some suggestions that I agreed with. He was professional, knowledgeable and friendly throughout the process and I was very pleased to receive just short of the figure we had originally discussed. I would recommend Mark to anyone.

Darell Hitchen

18:09 29 May 18

I have sold one of my whiskey through Mark. Easy communication, fast replies. Mark gave me better price than auctions and anyone else. Very happy with the price and transaction. Will use it again very soon. Highly recommended.

Miloslav Petrik

10:36 01 Jun 18

Such a wonderfully easy to use service, Mark has been knowledgeable and so helpful throughout, a pleasure to deal with. From initially just sending a quick email to a completely unknown person online asking about the value of a bottle of whisky I'd been keeping hold of I have now had a great offer on it, a simple. quick and easy courier service to send it out and have quickly been paid, with very acceptable fees for Mark's service. Very very highly recommended!

Andy Buncall

11:10 13 Jul 18

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