Silver Tray with unknown marks

[saxapahaw]

Greetings --

I have a silver serving platter that has been in my family for years, probably since the 1920s. I think it is silver plate, but it is completely non-magnetic. It is monogramed with an ornate 'S', which is for my mothers' maiden name.


It has 3 marks on it. The first a pictorial mark. It appears to have a unicorn, a crown, and other things I cannot identify. Perhaps a lion on the left?


It has a mark that clearly says 9003 1/2 stroke 18. Would love to know what that means.


Finally, it has a XXXX stamp. Is that a grade of silver plate?


Thanks much for any help provided.

[silvermakersmarks]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

This is an electroplate mark used by the Hartford Sterling Co of Philadelphia, PA. It has been positively identified in another post on this site (http://925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=40206) where it is seen in conjunction with the company's initials. I cannot explain the mark with the X's. The numeral mark may be a pattern number with the 1/2 indicating that there were 2 pieces using this number. Perhaps the 18 denotes the size?

Phil

[saxapahaw]

Thanks!