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.

The nine factors that affect the value of silver cutlery

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.

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.

Broadly speaking the older the service the rarer it is to remain as a straight service.

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

Hallmarks

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

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.

Broadly speaking the older the service the rarer it is to remain as a straight service.

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.

The most valuable canteens of silver flatware have 12 or higher place settings. It is very rare to find a place setting greater than 12 that is a straight service. As such if you have a 24 place setting which is a straight service it will command a considerable premium.

Types 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 are much more sought after.

Generally speaking the more varied the items the higher the value. Fish knives and forks are not very sought after but if they have silver blades and tines they will add considerable value to the service.

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.

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.

Types 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 are much more sought after.

Weight

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 canteen on legs is not as sought after as a canteen which has not legs (like in the above image) and as such command a premium.

Ivory Handles

You may think your service has bone handles or plastic handles, but it is most probable they are ivory.

This becomes problematic as there is an imminent ban on the sale of ALL ivory within the UK.

To check if yours are ivory or bone take a very close look at the handles. Bone handles will have lots of very small holes covering the surface (this is where the capillaries were). Ivory will be a perfectly smooth surface.

Condition

Once all of the above factors have been taken into account the condition of the flatware must be examined.

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.

Engraved crests are usually seen in good light, but engraved initials normally have a detrimental affect on value.

Canteens

A canteen on legs is not as sought after as a canteen which has not legs (like in the above image) and as such command a premium.

Ivory Handles

You may think your service has bone handles or plastic handles, but it is most probable they are ivory.

This becomes problematic as there is an imminent ban on the sale of ALL ivory within the UK.

Condition

Once all of the above factors have been taken into account the condition of the flatware must be examined.

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.

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 01477 410893

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

Mark has sold a bottle of whiskey for me (I bought it in 1987, but never got round to drinking) realising a 4000% profit - very much above my expectations.From my initial email the whole experience has been unbelievably smooth and stress free.His service is very professional with the whole transaction from signing the contract to the money being in my account taking less than a week.He must have good contacts who pay him promptly - a good sign that he knows the market.He kept me well informed about progress and was very knowledgeable about my item.This is a more reliable sales route than auctions and the commission is half of what an auction house would charge.I would not hesitate to recommend Mark to anybody wanting to sell a valuable whiskey item and based on my experience would imagine he would offer a brilliant service for other antique items.

Terry Payne

12:46 26 Jul 18

An extremely helpful & professional service. Mark was always ready with advice on procedures, most of which were a totally new experience for meMy whiskey cask sale was effectively prossessed and I had every confidence that matters were dealt with efficiently. Selling my cask was a completely new experience and without Mark’s help I do not think I could have managed such a satisfying outcome. If I ever have to repeat the process I would happily engage his services again

Roger Martin

14:03 08 Aug 18

I approached Mark with some trepidation about the sale of a cask of whisky having no idea how to sell it. Mark is eminently knowledgeable about the resale process and before long had secured a very good offer. I was very impressed with the way Mark communicated during the process, he kept me up to date with regular calls and dealt with all the legal aspects of the sale. Well worth a five star rating and I would not hesitate to use Mark's services again.

Christopher Hine

11:12 10 Aug 18

We recently decided to sell several casks of whisky that were left as an inheritance. Looking around online for alternatives we contacted Mark to see if a better price could be obtained than was offered by the distillery. Mark obtained a far better deal with a third party and very patiently and professionally guided us through the sales process, answering all our queries and concerns. Highly recommended.

Angus Macrae

10:40 18 Aug 18

I just recently worked with Mark from the USA. I sent him a print that I was interested in selling and, he made the experience seem so effortless. Not only did he find a top price for my print, he was also incredibly courteous, professional and attentive to my needs as a seller. I would highly recommend his services. Thank you, Mark!

Francesca Pardini

22:30 29 Aug 18

Mark arranged for the sale of a bottle of whisky which I had. The whole process was made extremely easy down to him sending the packaging for me to send the bottle to him. A good price was achieved and the money paid directly into my account. The whole process took just over a week.

David Hampshire

22:20 09 Sep 18

Fantastic service. 100% trustworthy. I had a rare bottle of whiskey given to me by a relative. You could say a forgotten bottle of whiskey! Mark found me buyer and a great price.Use him, he is great.

Stuart Bennet

07:27 19 Sep 18

Having been disappointed with the offer made by the distillery for my Cask of Whisky I contacted Mark Littler. I was immediately impressed by his knowledge of the market and his enthusiastic approach. I wasn’t to be disappointed as the sale of the Cask from start to finish was impeccably handled by Mark and an excellent price was obtained, far in excess of that offered by the distillery. Mark Littler gives a very reliable and personal service that is hard to find these days and I have no hesitation in highly recommending him.

Anthony Harris

14:40 06 Oct 18

Fabulous experience. Mark provided a professional and incredibly knowledgeable service. He obtained a much better price for a bottle of whisky i wanted to sell than I could have got anywhere else. I highly recommend Mark, just could not be better. Thank you Mark.

John McCaig

10:20 01 Nov 18

I recently engaged with Mark in order to sell a bottle of 1968, 18 year old Macallan, whiskey. Mark's advice, patience and speedy completion were flawless. I would not hesitate to use him again.

John Townsley

15:49 15 Nov 18

Mark was extremely helpful and a pleasure to deal with. I would recommend him for his trustworthiness, knowledge and patience and advice on sale goods as well as non sale goods. I endorse all the previous comments.

Karen Irving

20:48 28 Nov 18

I had several bottles of unwanted whisky which Mark turned into a decent amount of cash in a remarkable 20 days from my first e-mail. Great service from a good bloke who knows his stuff and also how to deal with people. I would not hesitate use his services again.

Kenny Mitchell

23:17 30 Nov 18

After inheriting a bottle of Whiskey I inadvertently realised it might be worth a bit more than the run of the mill Whiskey so started my search. Prices on line vary widely and I'd no idea of how to go about selling such an item. I was lucky enough to find Mark Littler through a google search - and took confidence in the many positive reviews.a few messages later and Mark managed to get me a fair and good price for the Whiskey. Good communication and ease of the transaction were important to me and I wasn't disappointed at any time. Thank you Mark!

Peter Boys

08:15 04 Dec 18

We contacted Mark for a price on a specific item. He rapidly came up with an offer that we accepted. He proposed an agreement that, after a few questions we signed. Within a few days he had visited us and collected the item. After a further six working days he had completed the sale and the cash was in our bank account. We were very pleased with the service.

Peter Aspinall

21:43 17 Dec 18

I found Mark's details online after looking to sell a collectable bottle of whiskey. I was going to use a well know auction site but Mark secured an offer higher than the highest estimation from any auction house, within days, even after the 10% commission was deducted. Communication was perfect; punctual, to the point and polite. Collection and delivery were taken care of by Mark and instruction was clear and easy to follow. Payment was received to my bank within days of posting the bottle. I can't recommend Mark enough, he runs a tight ship gets top end offers from his clients and delivers quickly. Perfect. Many thanks.

Rod Fountain

17:15 18 Jan 19

Mark helped us to sell our limited edition, signed L S Lowry print. On receipt of photos of the print he very quickly contacted likely buyers to initiate offers and we were very satisfied with the price agreed which was as good as a London auctioneer's estimate. We then arranged a rendezvous near my home for the handover and Mark was kind enough to give me some very good advice about other pictures in our collection and the market generally. Overall, Mark provides an excellent service.

John Lister

16:05 25 Jan 19

Mark has been very helpful in helping me sell a bottle of whisky which was given to my father many years ago. He was very professional, and was always quick to reply to any of my questions. Not knowing anything about whisky, Mark was there to offer some good advice and I believe he is very knowledgeable about his work. The sale was done very quick, and the money was in my bank account the next day. I would highly recommend his services.

Kim Hendrickx

16:56 01 Feb 19

I had some Robert Thompson ‘mouseman’ furniture to sell and contacted Mark for help and advice. He is very approachable, gave good realistic advice and quickly arranged a sale for me including collection. I was very pleased with the ease of the arrangements and would not hesitate to recommend him.

Helen Wilson

12:53 07 Feb 19

Wow, what a refreshing change it was to meet Mark . He was the consummate professional with an approachable and warm personality who clearly had an in depth knowledge of his subject which he used to give me a first class service when I wanted to sell a whisky collection. For anyone who is considering any similar specialist whisky transactions I can certainly recommend him without reservation and, if you do use his services, you will realise why I have given him this glowing feedback - thank you Mark.

Duncan Chambers

14:27 25 Feb 19

I am very grateful to Mark who has helped me obtain a good price for 2 vintage bottles of Macallan whisky. If I had the good fortune of some other bottles to sell I would not hesitate to use his services again. I was delighted with the outcome and would definitely recommend Mark and his expert services to others. Well done and THANKS.

Michael Pacynko

20:28 20 Mar 19

Remarkable man. Remarkable service. The daunting prospect of how best to sell our cask of Macallan instead became a pleasure. Every aspect of the transaction was handled painlessly! Thank you Mark.

Ian Fellows

23:01 29 Mar 19

I found Mark details online and after reading the reviews I contacted his service. This was the first time I had ventured into anything like this so was unsure of the process and also apprehensive knowing that I would have to give someone else my products and I would have to trust them with it. Mark was brilliant, he was reassuring, kept in regular contact, explained the process thoroughly and I would definitely use his service again. I have even recommended his services to others.

Mike Taylor

08:01 05 Apr 19

Mark is a very professional person, with a passion for his work. He very quickly found a buyer. The whole process was smooth, efficient and fast. I will have no hesitation in using his services again and highly recommend him to anyone. I am happy that instead of gathering dust hidden away my tea set has gone to someone who has the time to appreciate its beauty.Thank you mark for facilitating the transaction.

Mel Smith

18:31 05 Apr 19

Mark, Thank you for your professional and honest dealing with the sale of my whisky collection. You deserve the praise I am giving you as from my first contact I was completely comfortable to deal with you. Also you were very prompt in settling the account. I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyoneThank youJOHN GOSSHampshire

JOHN GOSS

13:12 25 Apr 19

In the sale of our whisky casks Mark has been exemplaryHis honest advice and clear communication at every stage eased our path through the whole transaction. This, with the outstanding price he achieved for us, was more than impressive.We commend him highly to anyone with good whisky to sell.Thank you MarkEddie & AnitaYorkshire

Anita Walsh

12:20 06 May 19

Having received 5 separate quotes for my gold sovereigns, Mark got me the best price. I would have gone through Mark regardless though as his customer service and knowledge was brilliant. Thank you very much Mark.

Paul German

19:41 07 May 19

A shame that there are only 5 stars to choose from. Mark was honest and encouraging, arranged everything on our behalf, sent through high quality materials and kept us informed every step of the way. Should we ever need a service like this again, there's only one person that we'll go to.

Kevin Moore

15:31 17 May 19

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