Tea & Coffee set identification

[helenevans]

I would appreciate any information you could give me with regards to a very old tea pot coffee pot sugar bowl and cream jug. This is a set and extremely heavy. All are silver covered porcelaine. The markings underneath appear to have a different number for each piece. Teapot is marked 120 with a backward J and above the there are the initial MF with a bit of lines fanning out. 2 photos to view
http://www.fotothing.com/helenoc/
I would appreciate any help with these handed down pieces. Helen

[Waylander]

Helen

From the photographs on your website, I doubt that your pieces are Sterling Silver. A pretty good rule of thumb is if doesn't have the Lion Passant then it is not likely going to be silver, especially on a larger item. Manufacturers and individual silversmiths have always gone to great lengths to ensure everything they make of silver is clearly marked as such since they charge large premiums for it. Customers have always been fanatical about it as well since they have always wanted to be very, very sure they are getting what they paid for. There are exceptions to this rule of thumb but they are few and far between. It is hard to be more precise, but I would say that your piece is Silverplate.

Waylander

[helenevans]

Thankyou very much for quick response. I now appreciate the difference between plated and Hall Marked. I will remove it from here and place it in another forum. I apologise for the time you took, but it is greatly appreciated.