What does "EPNS" mean on silver plate?
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The mark "EPNS" on a silver plate item stands for Electro-Plated Nickel Silver.
Is Epns silver worth anything?
Unlike sterling or hallmarked silver, EPNS does not carry much intrinsic value. However, certain older, ornate Victorian or Edwardian EPNS pieces may have collectible interest for their craftsmanship or design.
Is Epns silver real silver?
This means “Electro Plated Nickel Silver”. Again, the use of the term silver may lead you to think that it is – but it isn't. These items are made of nickel alloy (as explained above) and then electrically plated with a thin layer of silver. EPNS is a sure sign that the item isn't solid silver.
What is the difference between sterling silver and Epns?
The “plating” in silver plating comes from the process of coating a base metal such as copper, nickel, or pewter in a thin layer of silver. These items are often labeled “EP” or “EPNS” and have a notably lighter color than sterling silver.
What does epns mean on the back of a spoon?
Nickel silver first became popular as a base metal for silver-plated cutlery and other silverware, notably the electroplated wares called EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver).
The differences between silver and silver plate
How do you clean tarnished Epns?
Make a heavy paste of baking soda and water to clean off the black tarnish from silver-plated items. Rub the paste on the item, leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse with a damp cloth with cool water and buff dry.
What are the most valuable silver marks?
Therefore, sterling silver is the most valuable you'll find. You can know sterling silver by checking the '925' hallmark, which means that the silver in it is 925 parts in 1,000. The other parts could comprise other metals to give them more strength.
Can you sell EPNS silver?
We are happy to buy old, unwanted and broken items made from Silver, but not plated items. Today's Silver Rate Per Gram. Items marked PLATE, EPNS, EP, BP, EPCA, EPGS, ESM, EPWM or similar are generally plated with Silver and would not be of interest to us.
Will a magnet stick to a silverplate?
Precious metals such as silver, gold, and copper are not magnetic. If a magnet is strongly attracted to the metal, it is not pure silver. Plated silver has a metal base of nickel or pewter, which is magnetic.
How to tell if an old spoon is silver?
Look for stamps or hallmarks indicating silver purity, such as 925, 900, or 800. Real silver oxidizes and tarnishes, leaving a black residue when polished.
How to tell silver from epns?
If you see the letters EPNS or A1 on your item then it is silver plated. Your item will need to be hallmarked and carry very specific marks in order to be legally called silver. As silver plate was made for the mass market many items of silver plate do not have any value.
How can I tell if it's real silver?
One reliable method is to look for hallmarks or jewelry stamps on the piece, which typically indicate purity levels, such as “925” for sterling silver. Another method is the magnet test; genuine silver is not magnetic, so if a magnet sticks to the item, it's likely not real silver.
Is electroplated silver worth anything?
Yes, some electroplated silver is worth something. However, because electroplated silver objects and decor typically feature only a thin layer of fine silver, the value won't likely pertain to its composition.
How old is Epns silver?
EPNS & Silver Plate in the 19th Century
In the 1830s, George Richards Elkington and Henry Elkington pioneered this method in Birmingham, England. They developed a process to coat a base metal, typically nickel silver (an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc), with a thin layer of pure silver.
How to clean epns silver with vinegar?
Put the silver items in a bowl of appropriate size and cover them with white distilled vinegar. Add baking soda into the bowl – the approximate proportions are 4 tablespoons of baking soda for every cup of vinegar. Leave the silver in the mixture for 1 hour. Rinse with clean water and dry well with soft cotton cloth.
Will a pawn shop buy silver plated silverware?
Selling your silverplated flatware
Pawn shops will typically not buy silverplated flatware, but silver dealers such as Replacements will.
Can you test silver with vinegar?
Acidity in vinegar reacts with non-silver metals, causing discoloration. This can help determine if an item is authentic silver or a cheaper metal.
Does German silver stick to a magnet?
No, a magnet will never stick to silver.
What to do with grandma's silver?
Jewelry: Transform antique silver items into unique and stylish jewelry pieces. Forks and spoons can be bent and shaped to create bracelets, rings, pendants, and earrings.
What do you do with old epns cutlery?
Argyle Metals will accept EPNS. Argyles is a local, family run scrap metal company used by The Green Centre. Their phone number is 01273 680559, and they can be found at Argyle Hall, Campbell Rd, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4RA.
Is 100 year old silverware worth anything?
The value of antique silverware can vary depending on the type, rarity, and age. Antique silver can range in price from $5 for a common item to over $1 million for a rare item.
What does z mean on silver?
Now look for the town hallmark: in this photo we see the anchor denoting it was assayed in Birmingham (3). In this case the letter 'z' (2) indicates it was assayed in 1874. The date letter changes every year so you can precisely date the year it was made. The maker's mark (1) shows that it was made by Robert Thornton.
Which is better, 925 or 999 silver?
- 925 silver means that the silver is 92.5% pure and has 7.5% made up of other metals, typically one of them being copper. So, they are both silver, 999 silver is purer, and 925 silver is more durable due to added metals.