sterling silver

[dirt to oil]

I found a really odd looking comb with a sterling handle in a thrift shop the other day for 3.99, the handle is about 4" long by 1/2" , once I got it home I started to wonder if it's really worth anything . does anyone have a thought about this or collecting sterling ? I have been in many thrift shops and this is the first time I have ever found any .

[goldminer]

If sterling, the handle is most likely filled or "weighted". This means that the sterling is a somewhat thin sheet of metal. And if you tear it off be careful you aren't cut by the sharp edges.

That said, if the comb is in good condition and attractive, it's worth more in it's current form than the value of it's silver content.

[CQC McDuck]

Unless I can get the stuff for free or cheap I usually avoid it. If it's sterling it should have a stamp on it somewhere saying that it's 92.5% silver.

[RoyalBeluga]

Unless I can get the stuff for free or cheap I usually avoid it. If it's sterling it should have a stamp on it somewhere saying that it's 92.5% silver.

British 92.5% silver coins are lovely if in great condition, especially the pre 1920 halfcrowns they contain .4206 Troy ounces per coin, approx.

http://www.predecimal.com/forsale/11/halfcrown1915.jpg

[Saul Mine]

Sterling is worth 75% of spot, ounce for ounce. That covers dirt and tarnish increasing the weight, refiner's fees, and a bit for your trouble to find it. The problem is the weight. Many items are filled with sand or wax to give the basic shape (candlesticks) or reinforced with steel rods (cups, candelabras, etc). A candlestick that weighs two pounds has less than an ounce of sterling, a three hole candelabra might have as much as two ounces, a sterling handle knife reliably has just under one half ounce. You can't tell except by tearing a few pieces apart and weighing the results.

[dirt to oil]

Sterling is worth 75% of spot, ounce for ounce. That covers dirt and tarnish increasing the weight, refiner's fees, and a bit for your trouble to find it. The problem is the weight. Many items are filled with sand or wax to give the basic shape (candlesticks) or reinforced with steel rods (cups, candelabras, etc). A candlestick that weighs two pounds has less than an ounce of sterling, a three hole candelabra might have as much as two ounces, a sterling handle knife reliably has just under one half ounce. You can't tell except by tearing a few pieces apart and weighing the results. a 1/2 oz for four bucks is'nt too bad

[pay dirt]

British 92.5% silver coins are lovely if in great condition, especially the pre 1920 halfcrowns they contain .4206 Troy ounces per coin, approx.

http://www.predecimal.com/forsale/11/halfcrown1915.jpg

Came across these, and other types of English coins in an antique shop, didnt know ag content or anything about them. Is there a site that explains types and content such as the info and photos posted above?

[teamnick]

Came across these, and other types of English coins in an antique shop, didnt know ag content or anything about them. Is there a site that explains types and content such as the info and photos posted above?

print the wikipedia article on british pre-decimal coins. print out the article on canadian and australian coins as well, frequently you find them together. The article tells you when the composition changes. bring your gram scale, and bingo, composition purity x weight = pure silver. pre 1919 on all 3 is .925, pre 1950 (iirc) on australian stuff is .925, afterwards is .50. canadian stuff from the 1920 - 1966 is .800, 1967 and 1968 is .500. british stuff gets iffy after 1919, some is silver some is cupronickel depending on denomination.

[teamnick]

If sterling, the handle is most likely filled or "weighted". This means that the sterling is a somewhat thin sheet of metal. And if you tear it off be careful you aren't cut by the sharp edges.

That said, if the comb is in good condition and attractive, it's worth more in it's current form than the value of it's silver content.

there's worth and liquidity. in theory, it might be worth more, but I just tear them down so I know how much silver I've got. there isn't a huge market for used sterling combs. if you ever find a complete dresser set in good condition (no dings, preferably no monograms, more than 3 pieces) that might be worth saving. also, if it's made by someone more reputable (tiffany, gorham, towle, etc) it might be worth something as a comb. then again, usually stuff made by a good silversmith is heavier silver too, so there ya go.

if he sits on it as a comb, he might be waiting a long time to see his money back. plus, he may sell it for less than the silver content, and we wouldn't want that, would we?

[pay dirt]

Picked up some canada pre 67 the other day below spot. The coins usually are priced as numis in some places so have to figure price on the numi vs the silver content, current spot if its worth it. An example was the pre 67 canada and 67-68 coins priced the same. There seems to be a lot of older foriegn coins out there that people dont know much about. Besides the english, there was south africa, germany, new foundland, and bermuda.

While in one of the shops the dealer was on the phone talking with a person that was selling sterling silverware in the store. Only heard one side but the person told the dealer to hold thier silver and not sell it. Observed a few people buying silver bowls and silverware.