www.925-1000.com

Over the years I've found several pieces of old pawn. I love the expression of the bear in this pin. I assume Navajo. I'm hoping someone might make sense of the symbol right before the sterling mark: http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Jewelry/P4080057.jpg http://i929.photobucket.com/albu...

I looked up the dates of the coins; as I recall late 1800's and to about 1910. No other marks I can see.

http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Jewelry/P4080042.jpg

Hoping someone can provide some info on this bracelet:

http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Jewelry/P4080044.jpg
http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Jewelry/P4080043.jpg

Here's another basic question that I couldn't find a direct answer to in the glossary or elsewhere online. Is it fair to say that any piece of American silver that is stamped "Sterling" was made around 1850 or later? Is 1850 the correct date for the adoption of the term? Are there any exam...

Here's a picture of Witch Pattern 1 in better condition, along with the mark.

I think this is silverplate, or actually I think this is old sheffield plate (though on white base metal not copper). But it also looks 19th century and handmade. The wood handle (which looks original) has been reattached with copper pins but other than that there is no copper anywhere. There is no ...

Thank you, and I apologize for not crediting you for the picture I stole. As I'm sure you've heard countless times, I am really indebted to you for the great resource you created and continue to maintain. Thank you again! The marks you've shown make it clear that my spoon is indeed the one for Hunti...

I asked this question in another post but figured it belonged here instead, so I'll reask it. Can anyone point to a reference that talks about the different engraving styles used on silver and how the "fonts" changed over time? I'm primarily referring to the owner's initials that are commo...

I wasn't sure of the first letter, but closeup examination with a loupe led me to conclude it was either P.H. or F.H. It seemed to be one of these since I could definitely see a period after the first letter, and only a P or F would allow the period to be placed close enough. The reason it looked so...

I have a spoon which looks to me to have been made by Philip Hulbeart, according to the mark shown in "Marks of Early American Silversmiths" by Ernest Currier. According to the book he died in 1764. What I don't understand, is that the style of the spoon appears to me to be more recent tha...

I have a pair of slightly older Scottish spoons. They are the only Scottish spoons I have, and also the only spoons I have that have a pictorial engraving on them, rather than initials. I can't remember what the engraving on mine is, though it isn't a lion. As I recall it looks a bit like a coat of ...

I actually think this is kind of an interesting question. For one thing, the US didn't mint any coins until 1794, so any silver made from coins before that date must have used coins from Spain/Spanish colonies or another country. And each country used different silver percentages that changed over t...

Thank you, that makes sense. I assume the same must have been true in other countries too - probably coins were used unless there was a cheaper source available - or sometimes old silver or scrap. I also assume the market price of silver was always less than the face value of the country's coinage. ...

I admit to not knowing this fundamental fact about early American silver. Was it made from melted down coins or did the silversmiths buy it in bulk? Was that legal in the US (apparently it is not legal now, since old copper pennies cannot legally be melted)? And what about other countries?

Here are some closeups, the first two with a jeweler's loupe. First pic is the stamp. I don't know which way is right side up, so the picture is set up with tip end of the spoon at the top of the picture (I think it looks a little like an animal this way?). Second is a closeup of some of the decorat...

Here's a closeup (using a jeweler's loupe). Note the shape of the sword - it looks a lot like the one in the other current thread with spoons. Maybe the sample sword stamp shown in the drawing in the book isn't that accurate? http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/4more/Silver/HPIM1748-1.jpg http:...

Interesting. So this would be a variation of the FP over BG mark which was used earlier? Does this indicate that BG is now the major contributor to the partnership, since his initial is now first?

Wow, you guys are good! I think the sword may actually be the first version on the page (mark D, 1814-1905) based on looking with a jeweler's loupe. I will try to get a better picture of the marks, and post when I do, but you've definitely nailed it. Thank you! Is there agreement that this is a tea ...

Thank you all again. Knowing the country and an indication of its antiquity is huge for me after wondering for 25 years. I will try to take a better picture of the mark this weekend and update when I do. I couldn't find the Trondheim mark in the pages here? Is that available online?

Here's what I think is a small tea caddy spoon. It doesn't seem to have the right marks for English or American or Russian. Can anyone recognize the marks enough to tell at least what country it is from? Or any guesses about the date from the engraving style? http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132...