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Author	Topic: silver or not
aedw unregistered	posted 11-25-2001 05:31 PM We have inherited a 60 piece flatware set, which appears to be silver. Each piece has a stamp: an old-fasioned type of "J" with a tiny animal inside (could be a deer) and the words "STERLING PAT.1922" next to it. Except for one piece (looks like bought later as add-on or replacement) all pieces are in pouches from "Wright.Kay & Co, Jewelers, Detroit," the add-on piece is "Wethered-Rice Co., Flint Mich." Do we have something here? IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 11-25-2001 06:25 PM Hello, and welcome to the Forums. You appear to have a 60 piece set of sterling silver flatware. There are very few items marked sterling that are not "solid" silver, and there is no reason to suspect that your set is not what it appears to be. Sterling means that the silver is 92.5% pure, and the term is rather consistently applied throughout the world. The remaining 7.5% is copper, added to give the silver more strength. Pure silver would be too soft to use for silverware. The mark you describe sounds most like that of Towle Silversmiths, an old company which is still in business today. The PAT. 1922 means that the flatware design was patented in 1922. If you can post a picture or give us a detailed description of the pattern, we might be able to identify it for you. Your set does have value, and should be insured. The actual price you could get if you wanted to sell it would depend on the desirability of the pattern, the condition, and whether or not the pieces are monogrammed. An ASA-certified appraiser would be your best source for a professional evaluation. I hope this helps! Brent IP: Logged
aedwa unregistered	posted 11-25-2001 07:09 PM Thanks so much! Can't figure ot how to post a picture, so I've emailed it. quote: Originally posted by Brent: Hello, and welcome to the Forums. You appear to have a 60 piece set of sterling silver flatware. There are very few items marked sterling that are not "solid" silver, and there is no reason to suspect that your set is not what it appears to be. Sterling means that the silver is 92.5% pure, and the term is rather consistently applied throughout the world. The remaining 7.5% is copper, added to give the silver more strength. Pure silver would be too soft to use for silverware. The mark you describe sounds most like that of Towle Silversmiths, an old company which is still in business today. The PAT. 1922 means that the flatware design was patented in 1922. If you can post a picture or give us a detailed description of the pattern, we might be able to identify it for you. Your set does have value, and should be insured. The actual price you could get if you wanted to sell it would depend on the desirability of the pattern, the condition, and whether or not the pieces are monogrammed. An ASA-certified appraiser would be your best source for a professional evaluation. I hope this helps! Brent IP: Logged

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