Silver

Is Your Old Silverware Actually Worth Money?

That old flatware set collecting dust could be worth hundreds — or almost nothing. Here's exactly how to tell if your silverware is real silver and what it's worth in NYC.

February 22, 2026 1 min read

It’s one of the most common things we see at our 47th Street office: someone walks in with a box of old flatware they found in a parent’s or grandparent’s home. Sometimes it’s worth hundreds of dollars. Sometimes it’s nearly worthless. The difference comes down to one thing — whether it’s real silver or silver-plated.

Real Silver vs Silver-Plated: How to Tell

Real sterling silver will have a numeric purity stamp: 925, 800, or the word “Sterling.” It holds significant melt value.

Silver-plated flatware has stamps like EPNS, EP, EPBM, A1, or “Silver Plate.” This type has minimal melt value — usually a few dollars for an entire set.

Quick trick: Rub a white cloth firmly on a piece. If it leaves a slight black tarnish mark, it’s more likely real silver. Silver-plated pieces often show a yellowish or copper-colored tint on worn edges.

What to Look For

925 or Sterling — Solid sterling silver, 92.5% pure — worth selling
800 — European silver, 80% pure — worth selling
900 — Coin silver — worth selling
EPNS, EP, A1, Silver Plate — Plated only — minimal value

Complete Sets vs Loose Pieces

For melt value purposes, it doesn’t matter whether you have a complete set or random assorted pieces — it all gets weighed the same way. However, complete sets in good condition from well-known makers can sometimes have collectible value above melt.

Sterling Silver Brands Worth the Most

Tiffany & Co. — Among the most collectible sterling flatware ever made
Gorham — One of the oldest American silver makers
Reed & Barton — Classic American sterling brand
Wallace — Known for the Grand Baroque pattern
International Silver

What Is Your Silverware Worth?

A typical 48-piece sterling service might weigh 1,500–2,500 grams total. At 92.5% purity and current silver prices, that puts the silver content value roughly in the range of $1,400–$2,600 for a solid sterling set. That’s not money to leave sitting in a cabinet. Bring your silverware to our NYC office for a free evaluation.

30 W 47th St, Suite 906

Ninth floor, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue, in the middle of the Diamond District block. Walk-ins welcome Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm.

Subway

B, D, F, M to 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center — exit at 47th Street and walk half a block east. Closest stop, under two minutes.
N, Q, R, W to 49 St, then two blocks south.
7 to Fifth Ave–Bryant Park, then five blocks north.
4, 5, 6 to 51 St, or to Grand Central–42 St and west on 47th.
1 to 50 St, then east toward Sixth Avenue.

Commuter rail

Metro-North into Grand Central Terminal — roughly a ten-minute walk west along 47th Street, no transfer needed.
LIRR, NJ Transit and Amtrak into Penn Station — take the B, D, F or M uptown one stop to Rockefeller Center, or walk about fifteen minutes.
PATH to 33rd Street, then the B, D, F or M uptown.

Bus

M1, M2, M3, M4 run along Fifth and Madison Avenues and stop within a block.
M5, M7 run on Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
M50 crosstown covers 49th and 50th Streets.

Driving & parking

There is effectively no street parking on this block. Several garages sit on 47th and 46th Street between Fifth and Sixth, and more along Sixth Avenue — booking ahead through a parking app is usually cheaper than the drive-up rate. From the FDR, exit at 49th Street and head west. From the West Side Highway, exit at 56th Street and head south and east.

Coming in with a large lot

If you're bringing a significant quantity, call before you come. We'll have the right person at the counter and can arrange for you to come up without waiting. For estates and bulk lots we can also discuss secure transport.