We Buy Silver Sets
Do you have an old silver set that’s just collecting dust? Maybe you inherited it, or it was given to you by an older relative. Maybe you forgot about it and just found it again.
If you’re like most folks, you’re not using that old silver set. So why not sell it for a great price? Midlands Gold buys modern and antique silver sets and servingware.
We understand that some items can hold sentimental value. On the other hand, times change. And things that once were treasured keepsakes can outlive their usefulness, and take up space and tie up money. If you’d like to unlock the cash value of your antique silver, call us now to get started.
Table of Contents
All About Silver Sets
What is a Silver Set?
When it comes to old silver, sterling flatware is king. Complete sets include an assortment of forks, knives and spoons. Many include ladles and pie servers too. All of the place settings, and silver napkin rings, store securely in a large case. Usually, the entire set is sized to accommodate 6 to 12 people.
Then there are tea sets, which are comprised of a silver pitcher and multiple silver teacups, and perhaps a sugar bowl and milk pourer. We also see fine silver platters and trays, sometimes accompanied by a small silver serving dish and gravy boat. We’ve come across sterling silver plates, pastry racks, butter dishes, salt and pepper shakers and more.
History of Silver Sets
Since colonial times, Americans who owned fine silver would bring it out for special occasions. It was pomp and tradition (inherited from the Brits). The popularity of large silver sets began to wane by the 1990s, as the old model of high society changed. Now, nobody sets a table with fine silver.
Problems with Silver Sets
First, sterling silverware isn’t a social signal anymore. Setting a table with it would be more odd than impressive to your company. Second, silver tarnishes and requires maintenance. Spending hours polishing silver, just to use it rarely or let it sit unused, is not fun or practical.
Probably, if you’re under 70 years old and own a silver set, somebody gave it to you. They may have bought the entire set at once. Commonly, though, middle class folks purchased place settings one at a time, as they could afford them.
So that silver set represented something special to them. It was an idea of wealth. By giving it to you, they may have hoped to pass on that special-ness. You can appreciate that.
Nonetheless, old fashions expire, like parasols and butterfly collars. Now, that silver set feels like clutter and extra work. Moreover, it could be turned into a substantial amount of cash to pay for something more useful and desirable to you.
Selling Your Silver Set
Old Silver Markings
If you’d like to sell your silver set to Midlands Gold, check the pieces for silver markings. These markings can be stamped or cast and raised. They indicate the purity of your silver and are found on the back or bottom on silver items. Generally, if something is unmarked, then it’s not silver.
These markings indicate that your items are silver:
Lots of antique silver bears unique hallmarks. These numbers, letters, shapes, and images indicate the maker, the series, the year and other details. These details are a matter of curiosity; most of them have no bearing on silver content. The main question is whether or not your items display any of the markings listed above.
On the other hand, if you see one of the following markings, you’ll know the item is only silver-plated.
These markings indicate that your items are silver-plated:
A Note About Knives
Let’s assume that your spoons and forks are fine silver, according to their markings. Yet you see “Stainless” or “Stainless Steel” on your knives. Is this normal?
Silver knives are different from other pieces of sterling flatware in two ways. First, knife blades are stainless steel. Silver is a soft metal, so silver blades would be impractical. Second, knife handles are not entirely silver. They consist of a plaster or lead core (to add strength and counterbalance the blade), wrapped with a thin layer of silver.
We’ll Buy Your Silver Set
Bring us your old flatware, platters, tea sets and everything else. If it’s silver, Midlands Gold will buy it. More importantly, we’ll pay you well for it.