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Sterling Match Safe - unknown mark circle with triangle?
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:09 pm
by ipsdeni
Hello all. I have a sterling silver match safe picturing a nude with a mermaid or two. The mark says 'silver' and there's what looks like a circle with either a triangle or the number four in the circle. See photos.
German Silver??
Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:42 pm
by ipsdeni
Someone suggested this is a mark for "german silver" and is therefore not sterling? Is that possible and where can I find for info on german silver?
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:25 pm
by Hose_dk
sterling is just a purity of silver. Defined by content of 925 parts of silver and 75 parts of copper.
I variuos contries the silver contents varies. between 950 down to around 700.
That does not make the thing better or worce.
200 years ago people would evaluate the silver content - today we look at the handicraft, can an item be used. And who cares about silver content? Only americans knowing nothing about silver cares - Oh it is not sterling!!!!!!! And so what?
In Denmark we have had regulations regarding silver since the 1300dreds.
The debat should be is it silver or is it plate? Electro Plate (EP) and 700 silver is NOT EP it is silver.
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:26 pm
by doc
The term "German silver" is one of a number of trade names that were used for items made of alloys, most not containing any silver. Other common trade names are Brazil Silver and Nevada Silver. The German Silver alloy is a silvery white alloy made of copper, zinc and nickel.
I personally have not seen a mark for German Silver, so I don't know for sure if the G Silver mark you have means German Silver, but I suspect so.