Hobbies And Interests
Silverplate
Silverplate is a very thin layer of silver over an inexpensive base metal such as copper, brass or steel. The silver is usually applied to the underlying metal with a process called electroplating.
Value
The most valuable silverplate flatware pieces are patterns manufactured between 1890 and 1910, followed by patterns from the 1930s through the 1950s. Unusual pieces, such as ice cream and pickle forks, are also considered valuable finds among collectors. True sterling silver period pieces are usually far more valuable than silverplate.
Identification
All sterling silver products manufactured in the United States are required to bear an identifying mark. They are stamped with the word "sterling" or with the numbers ".925" or "925/1000." If a piece was made in the United States and does not have one of these marks, it is silverplate, not sterling silver.