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?
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.
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 silverabout 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?
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 collection 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.
If you don’t know whether or not your service is made of sterling silverabout 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?
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 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.
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.
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
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.
Canteen
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.
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.
Canteen
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.
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.
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.
Auction or private sale?
Auction houses typically charge the seller 20% commission and the buyer 25% commission. This means you only get back 65% 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.
Auction or private sale?
Auction houses typically charge the seller 20% commission and the buyer 25% commission. This means you only get back 65% 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 CUTLERY VALUATIONS
Valuations
Are you looking for a valuation of your silver cutlery or canteen? If so then we can help.
Email details about your item to mark@marklittler.com or call us on 01270 440357
You can also send us images via WhatsApp or SMS to 07415 145228
Alternatively, use the form to send us information about your item and we will reply with a valuation.
Selling Your Silver Cutlery or Canteen
We can help you sell your silver cutlery or canteen and get the best possible price for it. We sell both through auction and private sales, using the route which will earn you the most money.
For more information please look at our Services page.
Why use Mark Littler
- Access to every auction house in the UK.
- By selecting the auction house that is best suited to your items we significantly increase the final sale price.
- Our private sales earn you on average 35% more than by selling at auction.
- We handle everything on your behalf from valuation to sale.
- We’re independent, so offer unbiased and impartial advice.
Are you looking for a valuation of your silver? If so then we can help.
Email details about your item to mark@marklittler.com or call us on 01270 440357
You can also click to send us a text
Alternatively, use the form to send us information about your item and we will reply with a valuation.
