Successfully Selling Silver on eBay – Article Two – Hallmarks, Maker’s Marks, Standards, and More

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(Warning: This text is lengthy and studying it could enhance your potential to make cash on eBay)

In Article One I mentioned the alternatives for savvy eBay sellers within the rising investor marketplace for vintage and collectible silver. The numerous varieties of marks on these items might be complicated, nonetheless, usually leading to poorly described listings. One might be assured that at the very least 30% of the 12-15,000 weekly listings within the ‘Antiques-Sterling’ class may have inaccurate or deceptive descriptions. The ensuing purchaser confusion and uncertainty causes poor promoting costs, misplaced gross sales and vendor credibility points.

On this article eBayers will discover ways to establish and perceive the numerous completely different marks and the place to analysis them. With this background sellers can write skilled descriptions of their eBay auctions, eBay shops and different promoting venues. Correctly figuring out and itemizing silver objects offers sellers credibility and an edge over the lots of of uninformed sellers on this aggressive market.

Consider it this manner – if one have been going to get into the automobile promoting enterprise she or he ought to know as a lot as doable about makes, fashions, engines, efficiency, and so on. Proper? The identical factor applies to promoting silver items. The marks inform the story behind the piece i.e., the maker, age, origin, historical past, high quality, sample, and so on. Understanding marks will enhance the sellers’ ROI as a result of they turn out to be higher patrons in addition to resellers.

Figuring out and Deciphering Silver Marks – The listing under supplies the fundamentals for studying the numerous marks and and metallic varieties. For additional analysis and schooling there are various glorious reference books accessible for each rookies and consultants. I’ve supplied a brief listing of steered books on the finish of the article. Perceive that many reference books are slim of their scope i.e., particular to sure time durations, nations, and so on. Because of this one can purchase just one or two books which cowl a wide selection of marks from many manufacturers and nations. As expertise is gained by itemizing and promoting silver one can construct an excellent reference library. For on-line analysis there are a number of glorious web sites which can be contributed to and utilized by collectors and sellers worldwide. I’ve linked probably the greatest websites on the backside of the article. Skilled valuations and value determinations are additionally accessible for individuals who need a high quality itemizing however do not wish to analysis marks.

Those that are simply beginning into silver gross sales must be very cautious to not misread marks. As said above, one-third of the eBay sellers incorrectly listing and describe objects as a result of they’ve discovered simply sufficient details about marks to be harmful. Usually these faulty sellers suppose as a result of there’s a lion, crown, or anchor mark on their merchandise it’s English sterling when, actually, it’s silverplate bearing a pseudo mark. Simply at this time I noticed a brand new vendor’s public sale of a creamer and sugar bowl set that she listed as English sterling made in 1903. In actuality it was American silverplate circa 1877-1880. She thought the sample quantity, 1903, was the date it was made and that the lion within the trademark meant English sterling. This is only one instance of many who make sellers look dangerous and restrict their possibilities for a worthwhile sale.

Use Data As A Promoting Level – After correctly researching the marks on the merchandise one can precisely title and describe the listings. Objects might be assured to be as claimed as a result of the vendor has sufficient confidence to take action. This offers credibility to the vendor and the merchandise which is able to draw good traders and collectors to the public sale. The consequence shall be sturdy bidding motion and better sale costs.

Use Precisely Recognized Marks for Search Optimization – For instance, a vendor identifies a bit as Danish and made by Georg Jensen circa 1909-1914. When used to key phrase the public sale title and outline this info shall be a magnet for high-end collectors . This interprets into larger income. Which of those two titles works greatest? “Vintage Silver Bowl with Hallmarks” or,“Stunning Georg Jensen Artwork Nouveau Sterling Centerpiece c.1909-1914”. The second in fact. That is merely utilizing strategic key phrases within the title which provides life to the itemizing.

Okay, so what’s to be taught? There’s a lot. The next is simply the brief listing, however with this basis a vendor can construct their street to success as an knowledgeable silver supplier on eBay and different venues.

Issues You Should Know:

• Hallmarks – Nearly each eBay vendor misunderstands this. Particular to treasured metals, a trademark is outlined as a mark or collection of marks struck into the metallic that formally authenticates the metallic purity (fineness or content material) and which is internationally acknowledged as a assure of purity. eBay sellers ceaselessly confuse hallmarks with maker’s marks, logos, firm logos, and easy quantity marks similar to 925 or 835. Whereas such quantity marks are used to point purity or content material they’re by no means to be thought of as hallmarks until they’re accompanied by the official customary mark of the nation of origin. Why? As a result of anybody can fraudulently strike these numbers into the metallic with out official assay. Hallmarks are the official marks of assured metallic purity in treasured metallic objects. Logos and maker’s marks are merely the mark of the producer of the merchandise. Consider it just like the karat marks on gold jewellery. If a hoop says Cartier 18K, the hallmark is the 18K, not the maker’s title, Cartier. It ensures the ring has a gold purity of 75% and it’s acknowledged worldwide. Silver hallmarks work the identical manner, there’s simply much more of them than there are for gold.
• Nation Marks – Virtually each nation requires official nationalized marks or symbols for use because the hallmarks for his or her treasured metals requirements. Most likely the most effective recognized of all is the Lion Passant utilized by England to ensure sterling for the reason that 14th century. There are far too many nation marks to listing right here however you possibly can analysis them within the on-line reference websites listed on the finish of this text.
• Metropolis Marks – A mark or image utilized in many nations to indicate town the place the merchandise was made. The leopard head representing London and the anchor representing Birmingham are two of the most effective recognized and mostly seen on eBay. Once more there’s too many to listing however they are often researched within the reference guides listed under.
• Maker’s Marks – These are the registered names, initials, logos, logos, manufacturers, symbols, or different marks used over a number of centuries by silversmiths and manufacturing corporations to establish their wares. There are actually lots of of those worldwide. You’ll normally discover these struck or imprinted onto an not noticeable place on the merchandise together with the hallmark and different marks.
• Date Marks – Additionally known as Date Codes, these are distinctive symbols, characters, letters, or numbers utilized by some well-known producers as a method of relationship the manufacturing 12 months of their merchandise. These are cataloged and are very helpful in precisely relationship many objects. Sadly many corporations did not use date marks which makes exact relationship of their work unimaginable.
• Pseudo Marks – These marks have been created by silversmiths to imitate the well-known and lengthy established British sterling hallmarks. These smiths sometimes made silverplate objects and silver objects of lesser purity than sterling. The marks have been deliberately designed to provide a notion of sterling high quality about their work with a view to revenue on the status and renown of British sterling. This doesn’t essentially imply they have been all working towards fakery, although some actually have been. In reality, many pseudo marks are legitimately registered logos of respected companies which manufacture in sterling, coin and silverplate. For instance Gorham, a extremely revered American sterling and silverplate maker, included the Birmingham anchor mark into their maker’s mark. A lot of the nineteenth century Chinese language export silver additionally bears pseudo marks on some very prime quality 800 and 835 customary marked items. Pseudo marks are sometimes mistaken for British sterling hallmarks so patrons and sellers alike should be capable of acknowledge them. This is among the principal the reason why analysis is so important to profitable promoting.
• Sample Numbers – These are proprietary numbers which are sometimes discovered together with the hallmarks and maker’s marks. These are utilized by the producer for patent registration, sample identification and stock management.
• Sterling – Sterling is outlined by the U.Ok., the U.S. (refer under*) and most different nations as an alloy containing at the very least 92.5% pure silver. The opposite metallic within the alloy is copper which strengthens the metallic for fabrication into usable and ornamental wares. The phrase sterling comes from 14th century England. The sterling customary in Nice Britain and elsewhere has been 92.5% (925) fineness since that point.
• 925, 0.925 or 925/1000 – This quantity is usually discovered stamped into silver objects. It represents sterling when accompanied by the official customary hallmark of the nation of origin. The presence of this quantity on an merchandise doesn’t assure it to be sterling until the official nation hallmark can also be current.
• “Strong Silver” – That is outlined by the U.S. authorities (refer under*) as an alloy containing at the very least 92.5% pure silver which implies it must be sterling. It’s unlawful within the U.S. to characterize any product by this title that isn’t sterling silver.
• “Coin Silver” – This alloy will get its title from 18th and nineteenth century American silversmiths who melted down silver cash with a view to fabricate objects to promote. Typical objects have been silverware and different desk service wares. The U.S. authorities defines this to be an alloy of 90% (900) purity (refer under*). Many objects with lower than 90% purity are ceaselessly and illegally bought as “coin silver” within the U.S. on eBay and in different venues.
• Continental Sterling – This can be a deceptive time period utilized by some who promote European made objects which have purity requirements lower than 92.5%. Related phrases used are Russian Sterling, German Sterling, French Sterling, and so on. all of that are marked with official nationwide requirements which can be lower than 925. Continental Silver is the right approach to describe European items supplied the official hallmark and assay mark are current to authenticate the precise purity.
• Silver Requirements – Within the U.S. the requirements are pure (.9999%), sterling and coin (refer under*). Within the U.Ok. the requirements are britannia (95.8 % purity) and sterling. Britannia was used solely in Britain from 1697 to 1720 and has been non-compulsory since. Different nations have their very own units of official requirements. Usually, however not with out exception, these are 950, 935, 925, 900, 875, 850, 835, 812, 800, 750, and 675 purities as decided by official assay. These numbers characterize the decimal fraction (proportion) of silver content material within the manufactured merchandise. For instance, an merchandise marked ‘800’ is 80% pure. 950 and 935 might be legally referred to within the U.S. as sterling, whatever the nation of origin, however the lesser requirements can not. 950 is typically known as Martelé Silver. Word: Within the U.S. it’s a federal crime to import, promote, label, promote, or in any other case characterize any merchandise as “sterling” or “strong silver” which doesn’t have a purity of 92.5% or better (refer under*).
• Loth Numbers – This was a numerical system utilized in Austria-Hungary and Germany-Prussia within the 18th and nineteenth centuries for authenticating official assays. It’s based mostly on a purity of 16/16. In order that 15/16 is 15 Loth equaling .937 purity, 14/16 is 14 Loth equaling .875 purity, 13/16 is 13 Loth equaling .812 purity, and so forth. Many of the vintage silver from these nations discovered listed on eBay is 13 Loth and, as famous above, it’s usually misrepresented as German Sterling. Austria-Hungary used this method till 1866 and Germany-Prussia till 1886.
• Zolotnik Numbers – These numbers are discovered on Russian silver objects going again a number of centuries. The basis of this method started within the eleventh century with the Russian gold commerce. Lots of vintage Russian objects are auctioned on eBay and different venues so you will need to know some fundamentals. The numbers are based mostly on 96/96 being pure. What’s bought totally on eBay is the extra frequent 84 Zolotnik, or 84/96 which equals 875 (87.5%) purity. 88 Zolotnik is 88/96 or 916 purity and so forth. A standard downside with the 84 mark is mistaking sure varieties of French silverplate for Russian 84 Zolotnik. One approach to inform the distinction is the French silverplate mark may have both a ‘Gr’ or ‘G’ after the 84 which represents grams of silver used within the plating course of. Additionally the Russian 84 Zolotnik will at all times be accompanied with a number of official marks and a maker’s mark in Russian Cyrillic letters. If an merchandise is claimed to be Russian and it bears on the quantity 84, then think about it to be pretend or plate.
• Silverplate – This can be a very skinny layering or coating of pure silver over a base metallic. The commonest base metals used are copper, brass, nickel-silver, white metallic, and Britannia metallic (see under). The 2 varieties of silverplate are Sheffield plate and electroplate. Sheffield derives its title from Sheffield, England the place it originated. The approach used was a ‘sandwiching’ of a layer of base metallic between a high and backside layer of pure silver. The metals have been wrought or rolled till the 2 metals have been bonded. Thus the bottom metallic was ‘plated’ and will then be used for manufacturing. Electroplating was invented in 1805 however did not come into well-liked use till 1840. That is an electrolytic course of whereby molecules of silver are deposited onto the surfaces of a sheet of base metallic till the specified coating or thickness is achieved. As a result of electroplating is fast and never labor intense virtually all plating was achieved this manner by 1860 which doomed the Sheffield plate methodology. As we speak Sheffield plate is prized by collectors resulting from its superior hand-wrought high quality and vintage worth. There are a number of completely different high quality grades of electroplate/silverplate. These are based mostly on the thickness of the plating ensuing from the quantity of silver used. The 2 frequent varieties of Victorian Period silverplate are triple plate and quadruple plate. You will note quite a lot of these varieties auctioned on eBay. The important thing factor to learn about silverplate is that it has no vital silver weight, thus there isn’t a treasured metallic worth related to it. The marketplace for silverplated objects is predicated on rarity, uniqueness, vintage qualities, craftsmanship, and design qualities solely.
• Sterling Silverplate – There isn’t a such factor! This description is usually utilized by eBay sellers who do not know something about silver or who’re key phrase spamming to extend clicks on their itemizing. As a result of sterling is an alloy it’s unsuitable to make use of as a silver supply for plating.
• E.P.N.S. – You will note these letters marking the bottoms of many older American and British silverplated objects. This stands for Electro Plated Nickel-Silver. Many novice eBay sellers and people who do not hassle to do any analysis mistakenly listing E.P.N.S. objects as sterling. Widespread variations on this are E.P., E.P.C. (Electro Plate on Copper), E.P.W.M. (Electro Plate on White Metallic), E.P.B. or E.P.B.M. (Electro Plate on Britannia Metallic). Simply know that any merchandise marked with E.P. is silverplate and as such has no treasured metallic worth.
• Nickel-Silver – This can be a frequent base metallic alloy consisting of nickel, copper and zinc. There isn’t a silver in it in any respect. The title was coined as a result of the metallic is silvery in colour and polishes to a shine. Different names used for a similar metallic are: Alpacca or Alpacca Silver; Brazil Silver; German Silver; Peru Silver; New York Silver; New Silver; Nevada Silver; Norwegian Silver; Silverite; Venetian Silver; Potosi Silver; and Sonora Silver to call just some. Many individuals have been stung shopping for issues like outdated German Silver girls purses considering that they had one thing of actual worth. Nickel-silver is powerful and sturdy but it surely does not have any metallic worth.
• White Metallic – This can be a silvery coloured alloy normally containing a mix of antimony, tin, lead, zinc, and cadmium. Within the U.Ok. the British high-quality arts commerce makes use of the time period ‘white metallic’ to explain all international objects which shouldn’t have official British Assay Workplace marks struck on them.
• Britannia Metallic – One other non-silver base metallic just like pewter which is well-liked as a result of it’s sturdy and polishes to a silver-like luster. That is an alloy of 93% tin, 5% antimony and a couple of% copper. To not be confused with 958 Britannia from Nice Britain.

The lots of of recognized marks and their meanings are complicated and sometimes complicated. The data you’ve got obtained on this article ought to enhance your understanding of what lots of the marks characterize. Now you can construct upon these fundamentals to turn out to be an knowledgeable purchaser and reseller with a considerable edge over your competitors. Thanks for following this text collection and please look ahead to Article Three: A Give attention to British Sterling.

Steered Reference Books:

1. Kovels’ American Silver Marks by Ralph and Terry Kovel; Random Home Reference, 1st Ed., 1989. ISBN-13: 978-0517568828
2. Supplier’s Guides: English Silver Corridor-Marks by Judith Banister; Foulsham Publishing, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0572029999
3. Encyclopedia of American Silver Producers by Dorothy T. Rainwater, Martin Fuller and Colette Fuller; Schiffer Publishing, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0764318870
4. American Silversmiths and Their Marks: The Definitive (1948) Version by Stephen G. C. Ensko; Dover Publications, 1983. ISBN-13: 978-0486244280
5. All About Vintage Silver with Worldwide Hallmarks by Diana Sanders Cinamon; AAA Publishing; 1ST version, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0978516802
6. Discovering Hallmarks on English Silver by John Bly; Shire Publishing, ninth Ed., 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0747804505
7. English, Irish, & Scottish Silver: on the Sterling and Francine Clark Artwork Institute by Beth Carver Wees; Hudson Hills Press, 1st Ed.,1997. ISBN-13: 978-1555951177

(These and different glorious reference books on this topic can be found at Amazon.com and different high-quality booksellers.)

* U.S. Information to Treasured Metals & Jewels: Legal guidelines & Requirements (See paragraph 23.6)

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Source by Wayne Morrison