Checks For Genuine Antique Silver
We sell genuine Georgian & Antique silver
To check whether antique silver is genuine, valuable, and truly antique, you need to examine a combination of hallmarks, craftsmanship, condition, weight, and age indicators. Serious collectors rarely rely on just one sign.
1. Check the Hallmarks
Hallmarks are the most important clue.
British antique silver is usually stamped with:
A purity mark (lion passant for sterling silver)
A city assay mark (London, Birmingham, Sheffield, etc.)
A date letter
A maker’s mark
For example:
Lion passant = sterling silver
Leopard’s head = London assay office
Anchor = Birmingham
Crown (older mark) = Sheffield
The date letter can often identify the exact year the piece was assayed.
A missing hallmark does not automatically mean fake, but fully hallmarked pieces are generally more desirable and easier to authenticate.
2. Look at the Craftsmanship
Antique silver usually shows:
Hand-finishing
Fine engraving
Sharp detail
Balanced proportions
Signs of individual workmanship
Modern reproductions often look:
Too perfect
Too shiny
Lightweight
Machine-uniform
Pay attention to edges and decoration. Hand-chased patterns have depth and slight irregularity that machine stamping lacks.
3. Examine the Patina
Real antique silver develops a soft grey tone over decades called patina.
Good patina:
Looks warm and natural
Collects gently in recesses
Gives depth to decoration
Warning signs:
Bright mirror finish everywhere
Artificial blackening
Uneven chemical ageing
Over-polishing can remove value because it erases detail and history.
4. Check the Weight
Sterling silver feels heavier than silver plate or cheap reproductions.
A useful trick:
Tap lightly with a fingernail
Sterling silver often produces a softer, longer ring
Silver plate can sound thinner or dull
Heavy gauge silver is usually a sign of quality.
5. Test for Silver Plate
Many antique-looking items are silver plated rather than solid silver.
Look for marks like:
EPNS
EPBM
Silver on Copper
A1 plate
These indicate plating, not sterling.
Common wear signs on plated pieces:
Copper showing through
Brass at edges
Flaking surface
6. Study the Style and Period
Different periods have distinct characteristics:
Georgian silver → elegant and restrained
Victorian → ornate and decorative
Art Nouveau → flowing organic forms
Art Deco → geometric and modernist
If a piece mixes styles incorrectly, it may be a reproduction.
7. Use a Magnet Test
Silver is not magnetic.
If a strong magnet sticks firmly:
It is not sterling silver
But be careful:
Some non-magnetic metals are also used in fakes
This is only a basic screening test
8. Buy From Reputable Dealers
The safest approach is buying from specialist antique silver dealers who:
Provide hallmark photos
Offer provenance
Give clear condition reports
Accept returns
Reputable dealers also tend to avoid heavily restored or altered pieces.
9. When in Doubt, Get Expert Verification
For expensive purchases:
Use a professional valuer
Consult an assay office
Request XRF metal testing
This is especially important for rare Georgian or continental silver where counterfeits exist.
The best antique silver combines:
Genuine hallmarks
Strong craftsmanship
Natural wear
Original condition
Historical style consistency
That combination is what separates true collectible silver from decorative reproductions.