Determining What Is Silver

[Rollie Free]

I found a plate at a garage sale, (didnt' buy it) that was tarnished. Looked for a mark and all I saw was xxxx Silver Co. (Can't remember the name dangit) and then '4800', which I think means grains of silver.

So what exactly does grains mean?

[Gcubed]

I found a plate at a garage sale, (didnt' buy it) that was tarnished. Looked for a mark and all I saw was xxxx Silver Co. (Can't remember the name dangit) and then '4800', which I think means grains of silver.

So what exactly does grains mean?

Grains are a unit of troy weight. 24 grains = 1 pennyweight.

[Unclad Lad]

So is there a website with makers marks, to distinguish between silver, silver plate, and electroplate?