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Just wondering if anyone knows for a fact if flat wear such as spoons, forks, knives that are marked silver plated are copper. I read online and I seen something about it. I always look for pure silver at the thrift stores and alway pass up the silver plated. And we're I go any spoon or fork is only .10 wondering if I should take a chances and pick some up. Anybody have any input??
it all depeneds on what the markings on the silverplate say, epns = electroplate nickel silver, ep = electroplate could be any base metal under the plate.
my yard pays brass for any non magnetic ep items unless i know it is copper then they cut it to see for themselves what it is.
other things to look for that mean nickel silver are; german silver, and alpacca. depending on where stuff comes from.
nickel silver is a nickel-copper-zink alloy, it will look like a white metal it was originally made to immitate real silver.
as far as picking them up from the thrift store, i would drop a buck on forks, and another on spoons, weigh them out and see if you would make a profit at brass prices. i would bet that spoons weigh more.
some old silver plate forks, knifes and spoons are highly collectable and worth far more than scrap as long as they are in good condition.
rogers brothers utensils that have the patern name on them are usually (not always) collectable. ebay and replacements.com will give you an indication of value.
if i could buy them at 10 cent a piece i would live at the thrift store, i like my local goodwill but they are getting pricy.
hope this helps
I have not come across any brass or copper flatware, they seem to be aluminum or something. The silver serving trays and platters are mostly brass unless a magnet sticks to it.
Thanks for the info guys. I wasn't aware of what e p was....some scrapper I am. I've been on this forum for a week now and I learned so much I feel like a new man. haha. Thanks again
So silverplated light to non-magnetic (from a rare earth) should be sold as yellow or red brass?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdogtx
yes depending on how your yard rates it.
They buy it as yellow here. I have had some that was copper and sold as #2. I have scrap a alot of silver plate items
I been wondering what to do with a set I found too, they don't stick to a magnet, silver plated is what's stamped on these,
I picked mine up in the pouring rain and thought it was just a wet box until i flipped it..
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/...cutlery003.jpg
64 pieces, complete set, well i'm glad I now know which bucket they can go in, thanks.
http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/...cutlery004.jpg
Might want to check with Barron Realms on the forum. Im almost 100% sure he buys them for the silver plate. I was planning to send him a box of all silver items like xray's and silverware, gold plated jewrley etc. I know for a fact he buys silver mylars out of keyboards and could have swore he said the silverware too...confirm with him/.
So check with him before ya ditch them.
The silver plated items we don't buy at this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzy214
That set looks complete. Check for brand markings. I would shine those up and cl it or eBay. Bet you get more then scrap value.
People on ebay pay crazy prices for it. I have seen 4 and 5 bucks a pound.
I have seen several items that actually state "electroplate over copper", or simlar.
Being that it's a complete set in nice shape, I'd sell that on ebay first. I've seen on some of the escrap pages that people buy silverplated brass. I think the base metal often has alot of nickel in it and that's what they are after.
How about utensils marked 18/10 ?...
Ebay, if the spoons, knives, forks have alot of plate wear scrap them, but at the very least Ebay the larger serving pieces.
Nice find.
18% Chromium/ 10% NickelQuote:
Originally Posted by metal gypsy
Silver Superstore FAQ - Stainless Flatware Quality Differences
Complete sets or serving pieces silver plate/stainless are always worth checking out on Ebay.
Thanks for the link!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Curbside shopper