You flip over a necklace and see a tiny stamp: 925. Or maybe 999. Or the word Sterling. Silver hallmarks tell you exactly how much pure silver is in a piece. Once you know how to read them, you’ll never have to guess what your silver is worth.

Understanding Silver Stamps

Silver is almost never sold in its pure form because pure silver is too soft. It gets mixed with other metals — usually copper — to add strength. The hallmark stamp tells you the ratio of pure silver to alloy metals, expressed in parts per thousand. So 925 means 925 parts out of 1,000 are pure silver — that’s 92.5%.

What Is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver — which is why the 925 stamp is synonymous with sterling. The remaining 7.5% is typically copper for hardness. Sterling has been the international jewelry standard for centuries. Common stamps: 925, Sterling, Ster, or STG.

Fine Silver: The Purest Form

Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, stamped as 999 or .999. Found in bullion coins (American Silver Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf) and investment-grade bars. Pays out at the highest rate since you’re getting paid on nearly pure metal content.

Coin Silver and Other Grades

  • Coin silver (900) — Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half-dollars were 90% silver
  • 800 silver — Common in European and Middle Eastern silver. 80% pure.
  • Silver-plated — NOT solid silver. Stamps like EPNS, EP, or “Silver Plate” indicate plating. Very low resale value.

Quick Reference

  • 999 / Fine Silver — 99.9% pure — Highest value per gram
  • 925 / Sterling — 92.5% pure — Very high value
  • 900 / Coin Silver — 90% pure — High value
  • 800 Silver — 80% pure — Good value
  • Silver Plate (EPNS) — Thin coating only — Minimal value

What This Means When Selling

When you sell silver in NYC, your payout is based on the weight of the piece multiplied by its silver percentage, applied against the current silver spot price. A 100-gram piece of 925 sterling pays you on 92.5 grams of pure silver. Bring any silver items to our office at 30 W 47th St, Suite 906 for a free evaluation.