How can you find out the market value of your silverware?

The key to finding the market value of your silverware is to determine whether it is sterling silver or silver-plated. Finding the market value of silverware can include visiting websites such as Spoon Planet and Silver Mine or taking it to an appraiser who specializes in silverware.

Sterling silver silverware is stamped "Sterling" on the back of each piece. Silver-plated is a base metal coated with silver so it looks like the real thing yet is less expensive. Sterling silver made in the United States after 1850 will be stamped with "Sterling," "0.925" or "925/100." Sterling silver is valuable where silver-plated silverware has no real value.