What does AI mean on a silver spoon?

A1 and AA: These discreet markings indicate the number of ounces of pure silver used in the plating.

What does AI mean on silver?

A1 (or AI)= Superior Quality = 32 grams on 12 pieces = 2 2/3 grams per table spoon or table fork. A = Standard Quality = 24 grams on 12 pieces = 2 grams per table spoon or table fork.

What does 1847 Rogers A1 mean?

“1847” and “IS” Marking on Rogers Brother Silver

This is the founding date of Rogers Brothers that they include in the hallmark of all their silverware. The “IS” stands for International Silver who has owned Rogers since 1898.

What is Epns A1 silver?

EPNS stands for "Electro Plated Nickel Silver". Nickel Silver (or occasionally stainless steel) is the base metal onto which silver is plated. Despite its name, Nickel Silver contains no silver at all, but is an alloy of Nickel, Zinc & Copper.

How can you tell if a silver spoon is antique?

Another important antique silverware marking will tell you whether your flatware is sterling silver or silverplate. Sterling is almost always marked "925," "sterling silver," or "sterling." Silverplate isn't always marked with silver content. The Georgian pattern by Towle was created in 1898 and is marked as sterling.

What does Silver Spoon mean?

How can you tell how old a spoon is?

Spoons will usually have a hallmark on the reverse of the handle, often slightly below the bowl. Forks usually have a silver hallmark close to the wider portion or shoulders. Knives as well some serving items might have stamps on the collar or ferrule, surrounding the handle.

What does Epns AI mean?

There's two ounces per gross of teaspoons for A1, and three ounces for AA. bmw2d_1102_925_l.jpg. EPNS: Electroplated nickel silver, commonly known as "EPNS", is an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc that's covered with a layer of pure silver in an electrochemical process.

Is Wallace silver worth anything?

A five-piece place setting of Wallace Grand Baroque can be worth between $300 and $500.

What is the difference between silver plated and Epns?

Nickel silver first became popular as a base metal for silver-plated cutlery and other silverware, notably the electroplated wares called EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver). It is used in zippers, good quality keys, costume jewellery, for making musical instruments (e.g., flutes, clarinets).

How do I date my Rogers Bros silverware?

Locate the manufacturer's mark on the back of the item. Look for the name "Wm. Rogers" prefaced by the date "1865," which identifies a piece made by William Rogers around 1865.

How can I tell if my Rogers Rogers are real silver?

One of the fastest and easiest ways to determine if a piece of silver was crafted or designed by William Rogers is to look for Wm Rogers silver marks. American sterling silver markings contain the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith.

How can I tell if my Rogers silverware is real silver?

Buff the silverware to a shine with a soft, nonabrasive white cloth. If the silverware is real, it will leave a slight (or not so slight) black mark. Real silver chemically reacts with oxygen to form a patina (tarnish) while silver plating bonds to the underlying metal, so stainless steel will leave no such mark.

How do you read silverplate marks?

How do you test silver with vinegar?

Some people try to save money by using vinegar instead of acid but vinegar won't give you accurate results. For this test, you just put a drop of acid on your silver item. If the acid turns the wrong color then it's fake. If it turns the correct color then the silver is real.

How can you tell if silver is Italian?

925, 92.5, 925S, S925, or any variation that indicates it is genuine. For manufacturers, marking it with any of these sterling silver labels even if it isn't is illegal. So, if you're looking for genuine Italy-made sterling silver, you'll want to see a label that says “925 Italy Silver” or something like that.

Is R Wallace real silver?

"WALLACE, R.

Silver and Plated Ware, and Fine Cutlery. This business (Solid Silver Plated Ware and Cutlery) was established by R. Wallace in 1835; incorporated 1879. Present officers are: F. A.

What is the most expensive silver flatware?

Antique American Punch Silver Bowl $5.9 million

This particular piece set a new record for American silverware, selling for $5.9 million at Sothebys in 2010, and shockingly surpassing its estimate of $400,000 to $800,000. Cornelius Kierstede crafted the bowl in the early 1700s in New York.

What is the most valuable antique silverware?

Handcrafted in New York by silversmith Cornelius Kierstede during the early 1700s, the Antique American Punch Silver Bowl surpassed all American silverware sale records by exceeding initial estimates of $400,000 and $800,000 — selling for a whopping $5.9 million.

How do you clean Epns a1 cutlery?

Wash gently in warm water and a solution of washing up liquid being careful not to have the water too hot as silver is a delicate metal. Wash a few pieces of cutlery at a time. Avoid loading all cutlery in the sink at once. Never use a scouring pad or any other abrasive agent.

Is antique silverplate worth anything?

Depending on the silver plated pieces you have, you can expect around twenty five cents to a dollar per pound depending on the piece. Some pieces though can be much more.

How do you clean badly tarnished Epns?

What are the markings on a silver spoon?

The four standard marks of a hallmark were the standard/purity mark, the assay office symbol, the date letter and the maker's mark.

What are silver spoon hallmarks?

Silver spoons – the hallmark will usually be on the reverse of the handle, just below the bowl of the spoon. Silver knives – knives will be hallmarked on the collar, or ferrule, that goes round the handle. Silver forks – look for the hallmark on the wider portion of the fork, near the shoulders and below the tines.

What are the markings for solid silver?

International sellers of silver will stamp silver as 925, 900 or 800." These numbers indicate the level of purity of the silver. Sterling silver has a purity of 92.5 percent or higher.