Sell Sterling Silver
Flatware, jewelry, and coins — here's how sterling silver is valued by weight, how to spot plated fakes, and where to sell it for a fair price.
What "sterling silver" actually means
Sterling silver is an alloy that is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper) for strength. That is why you'll see it stamped .925, "925", or "sterling". When you sell sterling, a buyer pays for the silver content — 92.5% of the item's weight — priced against the current silver market. The design or brand rarely adds value unless the piece is antique, collectible, or by a famous maker.
Start by understanding how weight-based value works before accepting any offer:
Sterling vs plated: the most important check
The single biggest mistake sellers make is confusing solid sterling with silver-plated items. Plated pieces have only a microscopic layer of silver over a base metal and have almost no scrap value. Look for the markings:
- Solid sterling: "925", ".925", "Sterling", or "Ster".
- Plated (little scrap value): "EP", "EPNS" (electroplated nickel silver), "Silver Plate", or "A1".
- Coin silver: "900" or "Coin" — 90% silver, still valuable.
If there's no mark at all, a buyer can test it, but assume unmarked flatware may be plated until proven otherwise.
Flatware, jewelry, and coins
Sterling shows up in three common forms, and each sells a little differently:
- Flatware and hollowware: full sets can be heavy and add up quickly. Note that some "sterling" handles on knives are hollow and weighted with a filler, which buyers deduct.
- Jewelry: sold by weight like gold jewelry; designer or gemstone pieces may be worth more intact.
- Silver coins: pre-1965 US coins are 90% silver and often carry a premium over melt — treat these like collectible coins, not scrap.
How weight-based melt value is figured
Silver is weighed in troy ounces (about 31.1 grams). A buyer weighs your sterling, multiplies by 0.925 to get the pure-silver content, and prices that against the live silver spot price. Any stones, weighted bases, or non-silver parts are deducted. Because the calculation is transparent, knowing the weight and current price lets you judge an offer instantly.
Why silver pays less than gold
Gram for gram, silver is worth a fraction of gold — often less than one percent of gold's price per ounce. So a drawer of sterling flatware feels valuable but may total far less than a small gold ring. That's normal, not a lowball. The upside is that silver is easy to sell and quotes are simple to verify. Just don't expect gold-level payouts, and factor in that buyers still take a margin on lower-value metals.
Where to sell sterling silver
- Silver / precious-metal buyers and refiners — best for scrap flatware and broken pieces by weight.
- Antique dealers — better for complete named sets or ornate hollowware sold intact.
- Coin and bullion dealers — for silver coins and bars.
- Online mail-in buyers — convenient; use insured, reputable services and compare quotes.
Get two or three quotes, compare them against the melt value (expect roughly 60–85% for scrap), and read our main guide to selling precious metals for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
How much is sterling silver worth?
Sterling is 92.5% pure silver, so its value is 0.925 times the weight in silver, priced at the current spot rate. For scrap, expect offers around 60–85% of that melt value depending on the buyer and quantity.
How do I know if my silver is sterling or plated?
Look for '925', '.925', or 'Sterling' for solid sterling. Marks like 'EP', 'EPNS', or 'Silver Plate' mean plated items, which have almost no scrap value.
Why is my silver worth so much less than gold?
Silver trades at a small fraction of gold's price per ounce, so even a large set of sterling flatware can be worth less than a small piece of gold. That's normal pricing, not a lowball offer.
Is silver flatware worth selling?
Yes, if it's solid sterling — full sets are heavy and add up. But confirm it's sterling and not plated, and note that weighted knife handles have filler that buyers deduct.
Are pre-1965 silver coins just scrap?
No. Pre-1965 US coins are 90% silver and often carry a premium over melt value from collectors, so treat them as collectible coins rather than scrap.
Where can I get the best price for sterling silver?
Precious-metal buyers and refiners usually pay the most for scrap by weight, while antique dealers may pay more for complete named sets sold intact. Always get multiple quotes and compare to melt value.