Showing posts with label silver hallmarks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label silver hallmarks. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Silver Hallmarks

Many of us enjoy a good rummage round an antique fair or car boot sale at the weekend whether we are going to buy or to sell.

Collecting antiques and collectables is one of the fast growing past times around and many people have turned it into a profitable sideline or full time business.

Precious metals are real money, the same amount of silver today will exchange for the same amount of good exchanged today!

Silver on the TV and Media



You only have to flick through the TV channels to see how this is on the rise by the popularity of Bargain Hunt, Cash in the Attic, Flog it and others.

As well as TV, don’t forget the huge amount of antiques and collectables traded each day on eBay and other on line auctions.


Silver Hallmarks are the best way to value your metal


The price of gold and silver is at a very high level at the moment, so is popular with most buyers and sellers.
However many people make mistakes when dealing with precious metals and either sell too cheaply or pay too much.

Hallmarks are the key to valuing silver and gold and if you have ever struggled to identify a hallmark – and let’s face it even experts cannot remember all of them, then you need portable expert information at your fingertips.

Silver Hallmarks and how to date silver!


Understanding Gold and Silver Hallmarks is a complete guide to British hallmarks and assay marks that can be downloaded straight to your computer, i phone and mobile device for only £2.99
This e book includes all marks from 1678 right up until the present day and also contains a section on international marks.

It is available in pdf format making it suitable for both computer, i phone, i pod touch and almost any mobile device that will read these industry wide standard formats.

 No need to learn or memorise the hallmarks, just keep the guide handy and check the details before you buy or sell.

Subscribe to this site by email

Silver Hallmarks

Friday, November 23, 2012

What and when is black Friday?

Black Friday is an important day in the US shopping calendar.

It marks the start of the Christmas shopping season and takes place the day after Thanksgiving in November.

For those not familiar with US traditions, Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday in November and traces its origins back to a 1621 celebration held in Plymouth Massachusetts by the early settlers to give thanks to God.

Today Thanksgiving is a family celebration and legal state holiday that marks the start of a long weekend off for most people. And after the family turkey feast on Thursday, the following day is available for people to go Christmas shopping on what has become the busiest shopping day of the year.

Because Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November, Black Friday occurs somewhere between the 23rd and the 29th of November.

Black Friday is so called because it marks the day when retailers make a profit - that is get out of the red and into the black. There is also a sense for shop workers that it is black because it can be such a long hard working day, as well as the mad crowds and general congestion of the streets and shopping malls.
 
Crucially important, Black Friday shopping performance can set the trend for either profit or loss. It is watched carefully by retailers and economic commentators alike because it is widely believed to set the economic tone for the year to come.



To give customers greater incentive to spend, most shops offer Black Friday sales and there are some fantastic cut-price bargains to be had.

In recent years, shop doors have been opening ever more early in order to be the first with the sales. Some retailers open at midnight of Thanksgiving and recently even at 10pm on the night of Thanksgiving itself in the race to be first.

This move that has not been welcome by some consumer groups and retail staff.

Despite the economic downturn, or possibly because of it - many shoppers are taking more and more desperate measures in order to nail a bargain.

The idea of Black Friday has now made its way out of the US as on line retailers such as Apple and Amazon offer on line sales.





Buy A Jewellers magnifying Loupe for £6.99

 Gold and silver hallmarks main site


buy some electronic gold scales




Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Where to find Welsh Gold?

Welsh Gold – there’s lovely!

The British Royal Family have been using Welsh Gold for their wedding rings since 1923. The custom began with the marriage of Elizabeth Bowes Lyn, the Queen Mother, to the Duke of York later King George VI.

More recently, Kate Middleton’s wedding ring was also made from Welsh gold.

However, Welsh Gold goes way further back in time than that. The Celtic chieftains and early Welsh Princes wore Welsh gold as a mark of rank, over 2000 years ago and it was prized by the Romans invaders who began mining it in 75AD.

Welsh gold was relatively easy to extract by hand because it forms like coal, in pure seams making it easy to see and process without advanced machinery.

Welsh gold is found in both North and South Wales and there are three gold mines in Wales today.



In North Wales, the gold producing region forms a narrow band that starts in Barmouth and reaches to Snowdonia.  Here you can find Gwynfynydd Gold Mines in Dolgellau and Clogau Gold Mine in Bontddu, near Barmouth.

There is only one gold mine in South Wales. This is Dolaucothi, near Pumpsaint Dyfed. This mine was operated by the Romans until 300AD and was subsequently abandoned until the 1800s and finally closed in 1938.

Today none of the welsh gold mines operate commercially. The Gwynfynydd mine stopped full production in 1998 and although it is believed that there is a high level of gold still to be found under the hills of Snowdonia, environmental issues prevent this happening.

The Clogau Mine used to be a high producing gold mine until it fell into neglect. It was bought by a private company called Midas Exploration in 2010 who aim to make it fully operational in the future but so far this has not happened.

The National Trust purchased Dolaucothi in 1941 and today you can visit the workings of the mine and buy gold pieces from the shop. Many visitors also enjoy trying their hand at gold panning





Thursday, September 29, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers – Charles Hanson

http://www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/
Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers are featured on The BBC Bargain Hunt series. In case you are not familiar with the show two teams consisting of two members each compete to buy 3 antiques items and sell them for a profit at a general auction.

The auction houses vary from game to game and these blogs catalogue them in order for you to be able to sell or buy at these popular auctions.
(Many now have live online auctions which can be a good way to rest the market).

Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd,
36 Main Street,
Etwall,
Derbyshire
DE65 6LP
Tel: 01283 733 988
Fax: 01283 733 988

Sale dates:
Hansons hold their principal antique auctions at The Mackworth Hotel, an 18th century red brick Georgian Coaching Inn in Derbyshire but also use five other locations for auctions around the area.



Auction Dates:
http://www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/pages/latest-auctions.php

Hansons auctioneers hold specialist auctions for the following items:
Arms, Armour, Militaria and Coins
Books and Printed Material
Ceramics and Glass
Clocks, Watches and Barometers
Collectors Department
Furniture
Jewellery
Pictures
Silver
Stamps and Postal History
Decorative Arts and Modern Design
Textiles, Dolls and Teddy Bears

Auctioneer:
Charles Hanson, Bargain Hunt, auctioneer and director of Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers Ltd holds court and Gavel here. Charles Hanson MRICS began his career at Christies, London in the European Ceramics and Glass Department in 1999. Subsequent employment with fine art auction houses in Cheshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire as a general valuer provided valuable experience.

Hansons hold their auctions at The Mackworth Hotel, an 18th century red brick Georgian Coaching Inn in Derbyshire. This impressive building comprises a large auction show room, good catering and seating for 150 people and parking for up to 300 cars.

Throughout the year it is the venue for international auction sales of antique silver, jewellery, ceramics, glass, pictures, clocks and furniture, specialist collector's items, book, stamp and coin auctions plus the monthly attic sale of Antiques and Decorative items from local estates.
Hansons successfully serves both vendors and buyers with particular attention given to personal service.



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Golding Young and Thomas Mawer – Colin Young

http://www.goldingyoung.com
Golding Young and Thomas Mawer are featured on The BBC Bargain Hunt series. In case you are not familiar with the show two teams consisting of two members each compete to buy 3 antiques items and sell them for a profit at a general auction.

The auction houses vary from game to game and these blogs catalogue them in order for you to be able to sell or buy at these popular auctions.
(Many now have live online auctions which can be a good way to rest the market).

Golding Young and Thomas Mawer (Colin Young).

Golding Young and Company
Old Wharf Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
England
NG31 7AA
Tel: 01476 565118

Lincoln office
Thomas Mawer and Son
Dunston House
Portland Street
Lincoln
England
LN5 7NN
Tel: 01522 524984

Sale days:
Dates are usually Mondays to Fridays over many locations, so check dates with the website.

Viewing Times:
Same day viewings and also viewings arranged near the dates of the auctions.
Golding Young and Thomas Mawer also have varied specialist auctions check here for current list:

Golding Young and Thomas Mawer cover:
Collectables
Fine Art
Antiques
Household effects
Valuations
House Clearance

Auctioneers:
Colin Young, (Bargain hunt expert) is a director and one of the Auctioneers at Golding Young and Thomas Mawer



A little History:

Goldings was formed in 1900 by George W Golding, one time Mayor of Grantham, and Louis Millhouse. The multi-discipline practice had the versatility of being Auctioneers, Valuers, Surveyors, Estate Agents, Insurance Brokers and Railway & Shipping Agents.

The partners were joined after the First World War by Albert Baxter and in 1931 by Bernard Millhouse, who became a partner in 1951. Every Saturday Goldings held auctions on the street of Westgate as well as those at the Old Wharf Road Saleroom. By 1966 Bernard Millhouse was sole principal of the firm at its offices at 38 Westgate.

Bernard Millhouse was joined by C Robin Hall in 1969 and became a partner in 1971, followed by Ian J Shaw in 1973 becoming a partner in 1977.

The influence of Robin Hall saw the building of a New Saleroom in Old Wharf Road in 1971 and the Surveying & Estate Agency practice move to 45 High Street in 1977.

In 1987 the business was sold to the Leeds Permanent Building Society and then re-acquired by the partners in 1991.

1989 saw the arrival of a new Saleroom Manager in Colin R Young.

In 1994 Colin Young became Sole Principal of the Auction Department based at the Old Wharf Salerooms, the latter becoming the current Firm - GOLDING YOUNG & CO.

In 2006 Goldings Chartered Surveyors merged with Grantham’s only other remaining long established professional firm of Chartered Surveyors & Estate Agents, Escritt & Barrell (Est. 1860) moving to 24 St Peters Hill.



Thursday, September 22, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Bamfords Auctioneers Derby James lewis

http://www.bamfords-auctions.co.uk/
Bamfords Auctioneers and Valuers are featured on The BBC Bargain Hunt series. In case you are not familiar with the show two teams consisting of two members each compete to buy 3 antiques items and sell them for a profit at a general auction.

The auction houses vary from game to game and these blogs catalogue them in order for you to be able to sell or buy at these popular auctions.
(Many now have live online auctions which can be a good way to rest the market).


Derby Saleroom and Office Address:
The Derby Auction House
Chequers Road (off Pentagon Island)
Derby
DE21 6EN
Tel: 01332 210000

Matlock Saleroom:
The Old Picture Palace
Dale Road
Matlock
DE4 3LT
Tel: 01629 57460

Sale days:
Dates are set at different dates of the month throughout the year so check dates with the website.

Viewing Times:
The day before sale day 1pm to 7pm and on the Morning of Sale from 9am

Bamfords auctions cover:
Collectables
Fine Art
Antiques
English Pottery
English Porcelain
Glass
Clocks
Household effects
Valuations
Continental Ceramics
Oriental Ceramics
Watercolours
Oils
Prints
Boxes and Objects
Furniture
House Clearance


Bamfords auctions also have varied specialist auctions check here for current list:

Auctioneers:
James Lewis, (Bargain hunt expert) is a director at Bamfords auctioneers and valuers

Bamfords began in 2002 and now we are in the top 15 in the country. James has appeared on the BBC TV shows Flog it! and Cash in the Attic, Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip and more.

Originally reluctant to appear on TV James said when first asked, “No sorry, I can't think of anything worse than appearing on TV, no thank you”. Two weeks later he was made redundant, so James had to write back saying, “Actually do you mind if I just come for a chat?”

The rest as they say is history.



Jackson's Hallmarks: English, Scottish, Irish Silver and Gold Marks from 1300 to the Present Day - Save £1.39 (20%) £5.56 from Amazon

This handy-sized guide is the most accurate and up to date on the market. and has been the bible for for scholars, dealers and collectors, selling in hundreds of thousands.

This edition contains complete cycles of silver marks for all the important Assay Offices, with variations shown for gold, platinum, Britannia Standard, import marks, etc, and has been updated to 1991 to include current assay marks.  See on Amazon UK



dating silver
dating silver hallmarks


the big world identify gold and silver hallmarks

Identify marks on foreign silver part 1

 

 

 

How to Understand International hallmarks

 

 

 

 

Will Britain leave the EU?
Whats the difference between the European Union and the Euro zone
UK Pound falls as Moodys axe credit rating

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers.

http://www.serrell.com/
Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers are featured on The BBC Bargain Hunt series. In case you are not familiar with the show two teams consisting of two members each compete to buy 3 antiques items and sell them for a profit at a general auction.

The auction houses vary from game to game and these blogs catalogue them in order for you to be able to sell or buy at these popular auctions.
(Many now have live online auctions which can be a good way to rest the market).

Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers
The Malvern Saleroom
Barnards Green Road,
Malvern, WR14 3LW
Tel: 01684 892314
also
Worcester Office
10 College Precincts,
Worcester, WR1 2LG
Tel: 01905 26200

Sale dates:
General auctions usually occur once a month
Fine art and antiques sales occur separately
(All dates are subject to change).
Auctions commence at 10.30am

CATALOGUED SALES OF ANTIQUES & FINE ART
Viewing held on the day before sale: 2pm - 8pm

GENERAL SALES
Viewing held on the day before sale: 2pm - 6pm

General sales, Fine Art and Antiques, specialist sales.



Auctioneers:

Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers have been established as one of Worcestershire’s premier independent auction houses since 1995, and experienced in the area for some 25 years. The Business is owned by Philip Serrell who is fully qualified Chartered Surveyor, the Company being required to comply with the stringent rules of Professional Conduct laid down by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The main area of practice covers the whole of Middle England and the Welsh Borders, but whilst most of our work is concentrated locally and regionally.
Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers expertise is requested throughout the country. (Royal Worcester Porcelain for example).

Clients include many leading Banks, Solicitors and various private vendors, together with regular buyers.














Google and Yahoo searches

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Great Western Auctions Glasgow - Anita Manning

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Great Western Auctions Glasgow.

http://www.greatwesternauctions.com

Great Western Auctions is featured on The BBC Bargain Hunt series. In case you are not familiar with the show two teams consisting of two members each compete to buy 3 antiques items and sell them for a profit at a general auction.

The auction houses vary from game to game and these blogs catalogue them in order for you to be able to sell or buy at these popular auctions.
(Many now have live online auctions which can be a good way to rest the market).

Great Western Auctions
The Great Western auctions Ltd (Anita Manning)
Great Western Auctions
1291 Dumbarton Road
Whiteinch
Glasgow
G14 9UY
Tel: 0141 954 1500
(All enquiries including free valuations)

Sale dates:
Auctions occur every two weeks:
Auctions commence at 10.00am
Viewing Friday prior to auction 10am to 6pm and on the morning of the sale from 9am

Quarterly Fine Art and Antiques Auction
Auctions commence at 10.00am
Viewing for Fine Art and Antique Auctions on the Thursday 10am-5pm and Friday 10am to 6pm prior to auction and the morning of the auction from 9am.

Auctions Cover:
Every two weeks, Great Western Auctions have sales of antique and collectible auctions consisting of:
jewellery, gold coins, silver, silver plate, ceramics, porcelain, glass, decorative arts, metal ware, clocks, barometers, sports memorabilia, medals, militaria, stamps, toys, collectors items, musical and scientific instruments, works of art, textiles, oil paintings, watercolours and pencil signed prints, rugs, carpets, 20th century design, Antique, Victorian and Edwardian furniture.



Autioneers:
The Great Western Auctions Ltd was established in 1988 by Bargain Hunt Expert Anita Manning.

Established in 1988 in Glasgow by one of Scotland's first woman auctioneers - Anita Manning. Great Western Auctions are one of Scotland’s premier independent auction houses and combine traditional values with up to date technology and marketing.

Great Western Auctions features on Flog It!, Bargain Hunt & Cash in the Attic.

Anita Manning can be seen regularly as on screen expert, on the BBC’s Flog It! with Paul Martin and Bargain Hunt with Tim Wonnacott.



Friday, September 9, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt auction house Bellmans Autioneers West Sussex Jonathan Pratt

http://www.bellmans.co.uk/
 
Bellmans Auctioneers is featured on The BBC Bargain Hunt series. In case you are not familiar with the show two teams consisting of two members each compete to buy 3 antiques items and sell them for a profit at a general auction.

The auction houses vary from game to game, so these pages catalogue them in order for you so you will to be able to sell or buy items at these popular auctions.
(Many now have live online auctions which can be a good way to rest the market).

Bellmans Auctioneers
New Pound
Wisborough Green
Billingshurst
West Sussex
RH14 0AZ

Tel: 01403 700858

Sale dates:
Auctions occur 3 times a month and are usually on:
Wednesday:
12:00pm, 2:00pm
Thursday:
10:00am, 2:00pm
Friday: 10:00am

Auction dates are set at different times of the month throughout the year so check dates with the website.
An extra auction is often held once a month dealing with Aniquarian Books.

Bellmans auctions cover:
Oil Paintings, Watercolours & Prints.
English & Continental Ceramics & Glass.
Oriental Ceramics & Eastern Works of Art.
Jewellery & Watches.
Silver, Plate & Objects of Vertu.
English & Continental Furniture & Works of Art.
Clocks, Scientific Instruments and Cameras.
Carpets, Rugs & Textiles.
Antiquarian & Modern Books.
Toys, Dolls and Collectors items.
Postcards, Cigarette Cards and Printed Ephemera.



Autioneers:
Bellmans Managing Director and Bargain Hunt Expert Johnathan Pratt holds court and gavel here.

Jonathan has run Bellmans which is based at Wisborough Green, near Billingshurst, for the past five years. They handle sales totalling between £2million to £3million a year.

They hold at least 11 sales a year, each running over three days with up to 2,000 lots. They also hold at least four specialist book sales. Values achieved range from £40 collectables up to artworks running into thousands of pounds.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

How to buy Silver Bullion on eBay

from Gold and Silver Hallmarks

Silver metal in its bulk form is known as bullion. Silver Bullion is traded on the commodity markets. Bullion metals may be cast into ingots, or minted into coins. The defining attribute of bullion is that it is valued by its mass and purity rather than by a face value like money.

Buying silver bullion on eBay can be difficult but, if the price is right Bullion coins and bars are often quite attractive and fun to collect just as hobby and conversation pieces. Some simple wisdom may help you to be aware of some of the problems when purchasing silver bullion.

In the UK, new silver bullion is subject to VAT which does remove some of its investment potential. Second hand silver does not and eBay is a good place to buy this. If you want to buy large amounts of silver bullion then eBay is not the best place to do this because the mark-up is usually quite large, although you can find bargains.

In terms of investment, 1oz silver bullion coins are often considered preferential to silver bars as they can often be picked up cheaper ounce for ounce and also have a numismatic value that may increase over time. Bullion bars are more impressive and can be purchased in larger forms. (Anything from a few grams to about 500oz).

Silver bullion usually comes in three purities;

FINE (.999 or 99.9% silver),
BRITANNIA (.975 or 97.5% silver)
STERLING (.925 or 92.5% silver).
FINE silver is the most expensive.

Bear in mind the market value of silver before purchase (often if the mark-up of a bullion product is greater than 100%), you may be able to find it elsewhere for cheaper- sometimes on another eBay auction. Contrary to popular belief, silver bullion is not difficult to get hold of in the USA; however in the UK there are only a few outlets that will sell silver on a small scale.

Rules to remember when bidding on silver bullion:

1. As with all eBay items, shop around for prices, and bear in mind the current market value of bullion
2. Avoid too-good-to-be-true prices and "Chinese dynasty" type silver brick-bars
3. Stick to well known assayers/refiners, and buy bullion coins if you are interested in long-term investment potential

WARNINGS:
With silver bullion, as well as gold and platinum, if the price seems too good to be true,  
AVOID: In particular, avoid the "Chinese dynasty" silver bars that come up from time to time as it is extremely difficult to prove the authenticity of these bars. Assume fake, or silver plated at best!

To guarantee authenticity, stick to big name assayers/refiners like Credit Suisse, Johnson Matthey, Engelhard, Northwest Territorial Mint, A-Mark, Pamp Suisse etc.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

How to identify Spanish Silver

The Spanish silversmiths have made beautiful jewellery, vases, dishes and trinket boxes over the course of many centuries. The historical, cultural and fiscal value of these crafted Silver objects makes them a particular find for the Silver collector.

Verifying the authenticity is the first step in discovering the potential of the piece you have. You will need a Guide to Spanish silversmith markings to start identifying Spanish Silver

1. Examine the marking for clear letters indicating the name of the silversmith. Rey Calvo of La Coruna in the late 1800s had a clear marking with capital, bold letters. His first name was on top of his last name, creating two lines. Juan Sanguino from Jerez de los Caballeros in the late 1700s wrote his marking as SANGINO, only with the first N facing backwards.

2. Look for numbers within the hallmark. Pedro Oliveros from 19th century Llerena had a marking with two lines. The upper line read PDY and the lower line read 017B. Also from Llerena, Alonso Perez Noble from the early 1600s wrote his marking as ASP3.

3. Determine the origin of the silver piece from distinctive characteristics. The Navarra region utilized the sea for inspiration when creating their markings. Many of the pieces from Navarra contain a starfish design or palm tree depiction. In Valencia, crowns were the common pictorial image placed within a hallmark.

4. Recognize the era by simple common attributes for that time period. During the 16th century, many silversmiths used shield-like designs to inscribe their initials or a meaningful number. They might have also created a towering design that resembled a structure of significance. Over the next 200 years, most silver craftsmen placed a loose circle around their last name, sometimes with a number. In the 20th century, silversmiths typically used bold, block lettering to write their names. Numbers and images were not as common.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

How to sell silver coins

Silver coins are popular investments among coin collectors and speculators. Investors buy them to hedge against inflation.

When prices rise, people seek to sell their collections of silver coins, but most are ill-prepared to sell.

Knowing how and where to sell coins and how to maximize return requires several considerations.

   
When to Sell

To reap the rewards of investing in silver, collectors and investors need information on when to unload their silver coins. Essentially, the best time to sell is when prices are high. Prices for silver coins depend on the scarcity of a particular coin, its condition and the current trading price for silver.

In the early years of the 21st century, prices rose due to increased industrial demand for silver. Because silver has unique properties, it is used for a variety of industrial purposes. Supply also plays a role in the value of silver.

In 2008, the world's supply of above-ground, refined silver totalled just 300 million ounces. According to an August 2009 article in "The Motley Fool," an investing publication, mining output is on the rise.

In 2008, a troy ounce of silver brought £8.59 ($14), the second-highest value since trading began in the mid-1800s. In August 2009, a troy ounce sold for approximately £7.97 ($13), which was still 100 percent better than the 2001 price.

Selling to Coin Dealers

The obvious first concerns when selling coins is to know the value of a coin before you decide how to sell it. For some coins, market value might be fine. For others, though, you might miss a great opportunity to receive a premium for the coin. For example, American Coin, a company that buys and sells coins as collectibles, values some silver dollars at $5, which might be more than they are worth in terms of their silver content.

Bookstores and websites offer pricing information for many silver coins, but coin dealers also help value coins that come into their shops from prospective sellers. Make sure the coin dealer is a member of the American Numismatic Association, which requires that they subscribe to a code of ethics. That ensures you'll receive a fair quote. If dealers do not want them, there's a chance they will know someone else who might. Don't be afraid to ask about other places to sell your coins.

Selling to Scrap Dealers

Selling coins to scrap dealers offers several advantages. Foremost, dealers pay market value for silver coins. Market value is known as melt value, which is the value that the current market pays for silver. With a predetermined price, sellers know in advance what they will receive.

One dealer, the American Precious Metals Exchange, buys coins through its website. According to the APMEX website, the company only buys in bulk. A seller must offer a minimum of $1,000 in silver coins. Those who sell to APMEX must call the company to receive a quote price for the coins. That price stays locked in for five days. After receiving the quote, sellers have those five days to ship the coins to APMEX. After the company receives the coins, it issues payment in the form of a check sent via mail.

A drawback to selling silver coins to scrap dealers is that many charge a transaction fee and require that you pay for any shipping costs. The American Precious Metals Exchange does not charge a fee for a transaction, but the company says it charges $25 for anyone wishing to receive payment via a bank wire.

Another drawback to selling coins to scrap dealers is that they do not consider the scarcity of the coins. In fact, many do not research a coin's demand among collectors until after they purchase the coins. Therefore, a rare coin might sell for far less than what an active collector might pay.
Auction Selling

The easiest way to sell coins to collectors is through an auction. Live auctions, as well as Internet auctions such as eBay, attract several prospective buyers, and the competitive bidding process drives up the selling price for a coin. Collectors also pay more than face value for coins deemed in high demand. Factors they consider include the condition of the coin and collector demand.

The primary drawback to auction selling is that price varies. While a seller might receive a premium for his silver coins, minimal competition also might cause coins to sell for less than market value. To avoid such concerns, ensure that the starting bid is at least equal to the actual market value of silver.

Kindle ebook 'A Beginners Guide To Coin Collecting' everything You Need To Know' £0.70 See More

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Starting to collect Silver Coins


There are a few different ways in which you can build a coin collection.

You can pick up a few pieces which are worthwhile to you that could be valued in the hundreds to those in the thousands.

While it is possible to buy coins which are valued in the few pounds catagory, it is possible also to purchase such coins as the 1804 silver dollar draped bust which was last sold at auction for over £6 million. The choice is yours but you will have to shop in the right places to get the coins that you want the most.

"Getting the coins that you want will depend less on the amount that you are willing to spend and more on the amount that you are willing to search for the coins that you want". 

The more you are willing to look for the coins that you want, the better your chances are that you will be able to find them at the prices that you are looking for. You can also get in good with the local coin shop. Another great way to get the pieces you are looking for is to get in touch with the other private collectors that you know.

Online Auction Sites
There are few online coin auction sites which will allow you to get the silver coins that you need in order to get the collection that you want. These sites are sites which are sponsored by such organizations as the British Numismatic Association (BNA) look for members on the site which are in good standing with the BNA as well as with the rest of the people who buy and sell on the site. This means you will have a good chance of getting the coins you want even though you did not get to see them in person.

Local Coin Shops
Shopping regularly at the local coin shops is a great way that you will be able to get the coins that you are looking for at a price you can afford. While you will most likely pay a little bit more for the silver coins you are looking for, you will be able to get the coins as soon as they come on the market. This is because store owners are in the business of making money. If they get a piece they know you will buy, they will call you to tell you about it.

Private Collectors
The most difficult source to buy from is a private collector. This is because they know what they have and they want to make some money when they sell the coin also. They will have a set price that they will not go beneath. This means you will likely pay more for the silver coins you want, but you will at least know where to find them.

Kindle ebook 'A Beginners Guide To Coin Collecting' everything You Need To Know' £0.70 See More

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

What is WMF Silver


In 1853, Daniel Straub, a miller from Geislingen, joined forces with the Schweizer Brothers to form the "Metallwarenfabrik Straub & Schweizer" in Geislingen.

This was the second company to be founded by Straub - previously in 1850, from the nucleus of a small repair workshop, which he had set up to work on the construction of Geislingen's famous railway incline, he had founded the Maschinenfabrik Geislingen. This company was involved mainly in manufacturing mill turbines and traded throughout Europe.

As early as 1862, the young company distinguished itself by winning a gold medal at the World Exhibition in London. In 1866, following the departure of the brothers Louis and Friedrich Schweizer, the company was renamed "Straub & Sohn" (Straub & Son).

The company showroom, built in 1868 in Berlin, gradually evolved to become the company's first retail outlet. Three years later, the company was already employing 60 workers. By 1880, the number of employees had grown to approximately 200 and the company was already producing 960 different items.

1880 saw the merger between Straub & Sohn and "Ritter & Co.", Esslingen, to form a public limited company under the name of Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik. At the time of the merger, Ritter & Co.'s Esslingen factory was already using the electroplating method of silver plating and had the more modern production facilities at its disposal. Straub's company, on the other hand, was the more profitable of the two.

1892 saw the development of a special technique for silver plating cutlery, whereby the silver is distributed in a way that, at the points of the cutlery most exposed to wear and tear, the coating is twice as thick as elsewhere. This process was patented and is still in use today. Known nowadays as 'Perfect Hard Silver plating' the technique remains exclusive to WMF.

Under Carl Hugele the company gained international standing. At the turn of the century the factory in Geislingen employed 3,000 workers. By 1910, this number had already grown to 4,000, making WMF the largest company in Wurttemberg at this time. Sales catalogues were printed in twelve languages. Subsidiary companies in London, Warsaw and Vienna opened up export markets.

Under the direction of Albert Mayer the WMF studio was influenced by the art nouveau style. The product range was modernized and considerably extended. In 1905 WMF acquired a majority holding of the Cologne Company Orivit AG, which manufactured products from "Orivit", a tin alloy.

As of 1925, products created by the Contemporary Decorative Products Department (NKA) made their debut on the market. This department was set up under the direction of Hugo Debach in order to establish the name of WMF amongst consumers interested in art and design. This department was responsible for producing the special "Ikora" finish, which has earned an important place in the annals of art history. The "Ikora" brand name referred to a specific method of treating the surface of the metal, by which layers of coating were applied in a partly chemical and partly heat induced process.

A host of newly developed hand-finishing techniques enhanced the possibilities for adding decorative flourishes to the products. Despite being mass produced, every item looked as if it had been individually crafted.

At the end of the war the company had lost its foreign assets, associated factories and retail outlets. The years following 1945 saw the start of a concerted effort to reconstruct in terms of personnel, organizational structures and technology in the remaining factory sites. The network of retail shops was rebuilt. Very soon, subsidiaries sprang up in the USA, Holland, Canada, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

By 1950, WMF staff numbers had again swelled to 3,000. Silver plated tableware and cutlery accounted for two thirds of WMF's turnover, with shops specialising in clocks and watches, gold and silverware representing the company's main customers.

A shift in emphasis occurred at the end of the 1950s and was marked by an increase in the importance of Cromargan cutlery and hollowware. This period saw the creation of classic products, such as designed by Wilhelm Wagenfeld, which still feature in or have been reintroduced into the WMF collection. It also saw an increase in the volume of trade in household and kitchenware items between WMF and specialist retail shops. A number of stemware collections completed the WMF catalogue, followed by the development of an extensive range of products for the hotel and catering industry.

By 1960, the Geislingen factory alone employed around 5,800 workers. A shortage of space and manpower at this site led to the setting up of additional branch factories, like the factory in Hayingen and Riedlingen.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

What is silver


Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag  (Latin: argentum, from the Indo-European root *arg- for "grey" or "shining") and atomic number 47. Silver is a soft, white, lustrous transition metal that has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal.

The metal occurs naturally in its pure, free form (native silver), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite.

Most silver is produced as a by-product of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.

Silver metal is used in electrical contacts and conductors, in mirrors and in catalysis of chemical reactions.  Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals, even higher than copper, but its greater cost has prevented it from being widely used in place of copper for electrical purposes.

Despite this, 13,540 tons were used in the electromagnets used for enriching uranium during World War II (mainly because of the wartime shortage of copper).

Silver compounds are used in photographic film. Silver halides are photosensitive and are remarkable for their ability to record a latent image that can later be developed chemically.

Dilute silver nitrate solutions and other silver compounds are used as disinfectants and micro biocides. While many medical antimicrobial uses of silver have been supplanted by antibiotics, further research into clinical potential continues.

Silver metal dissolves readily in nitric acid (HNO3) to produce silver nitrate (AgNO3), a transparent crystalline solid that is photosensitive and readily soluble in water. Silver nitrate is used as the starting point for the synthesis of many other silver compounds, as an antiseptic, and as a yellow stain for glass in stained glass.

Silver is a very ductile and malleable (slightly harder than gold). A good coinage metal with a brilliant white metallic lustre that can take a high degree of polish. The contrast between the appearance of its bright white colour in contrast with other media makes it very useful to the visual arts.

Silver has also long been used to confer high monetary value as objects (such as silver coins and investment bars) or make objects symbolic of high social or political rank.

Silver has long been valued as a precious metal, and it is used to make ornaments, jewellery, high-value tableware, utensils (hence the term silverware), and currency coins.

Silver, in the form of electrum (a gold-silver alloy), was coined to produce money in around 700 BC by the Lydians. Later, silver was refined and coined in its pure form. Many nations have used silver as the basic unit of monetary value.

Today, silver bullion has the ISO currency code XAG. The name of the pound sterling (£) reflects the fact that it originally represented the value of one troy pound of sterling silver; other historical currencies, such as the French livre, have similar etymologies.

During the 19th century, the use of silver and gold in coinage was undermined by the discovery of large deposits of silver in the Americas.

There was a fear that a sharp decrease in the value of silver and thus the currency would prevail causing most countries to switch to a gold standard by 1900.

The last currency backed by gold was the Swiss franc, which became a pure fiat currency on 1 May 2000. During this same period, silver gradually ceased to be used in circulating coins; the United States minted its last circulating silver coin in 1969.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Belgian Art Deco Silver - The Wolfers Freres

From Gold and Silver Hallmarks
Two main centres of style influenced European Art Deco.

The French Art Deco (The Architect Le Corbusier and Jean Puifrocat’s plastic translation of numeric calculations and geometric rigor) and the Bauhaus in Germany.

One of the best-known Belgian silversmiths was Wolfers. (Wolfers Frères Workshop and retailers) 

The Wolfers family is a ‘dynasty’ of silversmiths'. In the 20th century, Philippe Wolfers was the chief silversmith and jeweller during the Belgian Art Nouveau period.

He was the designer for the Brussels Workshop, 'Wolfers’ Frères,' and also created his personal workshop in La Hulpe (South of Brussels) with a selected crew of artists and craftsmen. There he created his unique pieces of Art Nouveau silverware, sculpture, and jewellery.

Philippe Wolfers was present in 1925 at the ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes’ which gave the name to the ‘Art Deco’ Movement.

In the Belgian Pavilion, he presented what would be his last striking design,' The Gioconda,' created in collaboration with other designers of the Wolfers Frères workshop.

How to recognize ‘Wolfers’ marks?

For the  ‘Wolfers Frères Workshop’ the mark is usually a triangle with 3 stars and the silver standard. The Silver Standard before 1942. = 833/1000

When the object is a one off commission there should be another 'Wolfers makers' mark or designer’s mark such as the special entwined initials ‘FW’ for ‘Wolfers Frères’ Workshop’.
     
Special Items from Wolfers Frères Workshop productions were handmade. Later on they were also mechanically produced.

Philippe Wolfers died in 1929, Marcel Wolfers followed as the designer and director of the workshop. One of his specialties was lacquer work developed after the Chinese ‘Sung’ lacquer technique and his encounter with the French lacquer master Jean Dunand.

The Workshop also produced the creations of an interesting designer, ‘Dom Martin,’ a priest who was also a silversmith, from the abbey of Keizersberg.  He crafted fine quality religious items with visible hammering and also collaborated with Marcel Wolfers who lacquered some of his objects.

During the Art Deco period, clients mostly ordered and bought tea and coffee services, flatware, plates and hollowware, and sport trophies. We discovered that those Art Deco creations were not so successful on a commercial basis.

The public and clients before the second world War were rather classical and preferred to order items in the Neo-Classical revival style, so lots of items did not sell at all and we found them still on display in shops’ cupboards in the 1950’s ,60’s, and 70’s.  This was probably also a consequence of the economical crisis of the 1930’s.

Art Deco style silverware took a ‘second breath’ after the 1940’s and 50’s and was more in ‘vogue’ at that time. The objects of that period follow the same line as before the war.

You might also be interested in

French Silver
Guide to Spanish pieces of eight
How to Understand International hallmarks


Friday, April 22, 2011

British Decorative silver styles and dates - part 3

From Gold and Silver Hallmarks

To understand and collect Silver it is important to handle and view as much of it as you can.

By examining and comparing Silver close up you can see and notice details that can’t be conveyed in a picture.

It is also important to have an understanding of the historical styles of the silversmiths. This helps to classify silver and also to date the Silver you are looking at.

Although not all the styles are listed here, the list that follows represents the most popular British silver decorative styles.

Arts & Crafts

The Arts and crafts movement came into being with the founding of the Art Workers Guild in 1884, followed by the Arts and Crafts exhibition society four years later.  It was not only an aesthetic movement but also a social one; expressing the widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of mass produced items. An admiration for folk art and for the old guilds of medieval craftsmen was also apparent. Large silver manufacturing companies realized that a precious metal and mass production did not really work well together so they turned to artists and designers for guidance.

The principle beliefs of the Arts and Crafts movement was that items should always be what they seemed, no jugs disguised as castle turrets etc, the decoration should enhance the piece not conceal it, silver should never be made to do something out of character.  The hand hammered finish is one of the main characteristics of this style. The smiths encouraged the inequalities of surfaces and as a result the pieces catch the eye in a way the precision and symmetry of machine made objects do not.

Its ideas were started by John Ruskin and given expression by William Morris, the movement also influenced workers such as Charles Robert Ashbee. Ashbee believed that good design and craftsmanship could not come out of mechanical and industrial organizations. This could be said about silversmithing as the use of machinery was by no means essential.  He put his ideas into practice in 1887 when he founded the School and Guild of Handicraft, shapes were kept as simple as possible.

Aesthetic

Characterised by oriental style engraving and applied decoration. Often incorporating bamboo, birds of paradise, cranes, butterflies, and stylized fan-work. Was at its height during the 1860's through the 1880's, but became over-elaborate and was left  behind by major interest in the cleaner lines of the Arts & Crafts movement.

Art Nouveau

This style was first introduced to England circa 1890, and was a product of the Arts and Crafts movement started by William Morris et al and the pre-Raphaelites.  It was a revolt against the mass produced wares of the Victorian era and was adapted to silverware showing free flowing lines, often asymmetrical, with intertwining floral patterns, insects and female faces depicting a great influence from Japanese Art.

The main characteristic seen in most Art Nouveau pieces is a long line with a quick curve at the end this has been said to be reflective of the social mood of the time. Eventually it was its own extravagance that led to its demise.

Art Deco

A style that became popular in the late 1920s and early 1930s, it was a movement against the naturalistic feel of the Art Nouveau designs.  Art Deco drew together various elements, such as structured floral motifs, stylized curves, geometric shapes and abstract patterns.  These ideas ran simultaneously with the cubist movement in fine Art and similarities of the bold graphic shapes are obvious.

Modernism

In the 1950s there came about a complete change in style. Post-war Britain had a renewed interest in form, with the emphasis on sleek modern shapes.  Form did not necessarily have to follow function, form was the most important factor. The early 1960s saw the Modernist ideal of pure line and form, together with unadorned surfaces challenge the traditional equation of high style.

The admiration for hand made items did not blind the new generation of craftsman against the potentials of mass production, their aim was to balance mechanization and hand finish so that silver was again being put to its best use, as a metal for items of luxury and decoration.

Kindle ebook 'A familiar explanation of the art of assaying gold and silver' £0.70 - See More

Friday, April 15, 2011

Understanding Art Nouveau Silver

In the 1880s and 1890s, a new style spread across Europe and the United States - Art Nouveau. 

Unlike the austere Art Deco that eventually supplanted it, Art Nouveau emphasized flowing lines and organic, asymmetric forms. Many Art Nouveau designs featured stylized naturalism, with floral patterns, dragonflies, snails, and women with long, flowing hair wearing sheer gowns.
 
Many silversmiths produced pieces in the Art Nouveau style, but its impact was not as substantial on silver production as a whole as later styles were, since Art Nouveau’s aesthetics and methods did not lend themselves to mass production. Indeed, some of the most elaborate pieces of Art Nouveau silver took more than 90 hours to manufacture.

Silversmiths working in the Art Nouveau style generally utilized two main techniques in tandem: repoussé and chasing. With repoussé, a silversmith shapes the silver by hammering it from the back. In the chasing process, he or she uses essentially the same process but on the front side of the silver. Together, these techniques meld the silver into its final shape without removing any of the actual metal.

Two companies producing silverware in the Art Nouveau style were Gorham & Co. of Providence, Rhode Island, and Tiffany & Co. of New York. Both companies were highly influenced by Asian (especially Japanese) aesthetics.

One of Gorham’s most exquisite products was its martelé line of sterling silverware, which featured fluid, floral designs. Each piece of martelé was handmade, whether it was a vase, letter opener, candlestick, mug, or bowl.

Unlike British companies, American silversmiths were not held to the sterling hallmark standards of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, which even today mandates with the power of British law that sterling silver be 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent copper and other trace elements.

Thus, Tiffany & Co. could produce an array of Art Nouveau-style products, like ornate vases and teapots, marked as “sterling silver and other metals.” Despite the fact that these pieces did not technically meet the British standards for sterling silver, they often exhibited fine craftsmanship and have become valuable over the years. Gorham produced many pieces with a similar marking.

English Art Nouveau practitioners included Liberty & Co. and Omar Ramsden, whose output included bowls, belt buckles, candelabra, cigarette cases, jewellery, match holders, clocks, and centrepieces. Only the finest of these were hallmarked as sterling silver; those that were not often featured coloured enamelling for decorative effect.

Interestingly, the Art Nouveau period also saw the development and spread of the picture frame, since the 1880s witnessed the release of cameras intended for amateur photographers. Picture frames, however, generally had a low silver content.

Art Nouveau went out of style around the start of World War I, but patterns remained popular after the period itself ended, so maker’s marks and hallmarks give the collector the most reliable clues to a piece’s origin.

Kindle ebook 'Beginner At Art Auctions: Read About Auctions including Sculptures, Vintage Photography, Art Deco, using ebay, ...' £3.38  See More

Monday, April 11, 2011

Why Do Silver Rings Turn Your Finger Green?


Have you ever worn a ring, bracelets or earrings that turned your skin green?

If you have, it's because those pieces of jewellery contain copper, a metal commonly mixed with silver and even gold to give the jewellery more strength while using less of the more expensive metals.

Copper reacts with your skin, turning it green or bluish-green after a period of contact.
   
A lot of jewellery sold as silver tone or gold tone is copper or nickel plated with a very thin layer of silver or gold, or even just silver or gold varnish. Perspiration and everyday wear causes this think layer to be worn off, exposing the copper underneath. When the plating is gone, the copper comes into direct contact with your skin.
 
When the copper is exposed to air and your skin, it oxidizes. This means that it begins to break down into microscopic fragments, which then wear off onto your skin as you perspire.

When copper breaks down, it turns green (copper weather vanes and pipes often show signs of green patina, and copper, when exposed to heat, will burn with green smoke). 

The fragments mix with the natural metals, minerals and chemicals of the body and turn green or blueish-green depending on the wearer's particular body chemistry. Removal and prevention

The green stain left by copper jewellery will wear off after a few days, and you can prevent copper jewellery from staining your skin again by asking a jeweller to recoat the jewellery in silver or gold, or even with a thin translucent varnish. NEXT: How to make a silver polish