Quick answer
Look for a STERLING or 925 stamp. Knives and many serving pieces have weighted handles filled with non-silver material, so only part of their weight counts.
Sterling or plate?
- Sterling is marked STERLING, 925 or .925. It’s 92.5% silver.
- Silver plate is marked with words like EP, EPNS, Silverplate, or a maker’s name with “A1”. It has only a thin layer of silver and little scrap value.
Weighted handles
Most sterling knives and many serving pieces have hollow handles filled with a cement-like material, and knife blades are often stainless steel. Only a small part of a knife’s weight is silver.
A common approach is to weigh flatware in two groups:
- Solid pieces (forks, spoons): count the full weight.
- Weighted pieces (knives, cake servers): ask the buyer how they value these. Many estimate the silver as a small share of the total weight.
Estimate the value
Weigh the solid pieces in grams, choose Sterling .925 in the silver calculator, and enter the weight.
Check for collector value
Some patterns and makers sell for more as flatware than as scrap. Look up your pattern before selling it by weight.
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