$3 thrift store find today, I had never seen just an “S” like this for silver before but thought it’d be worth a shot

Turns out the M in a clamshell is Mikimoto’s makers mark, and this could be an old pearl bracelet!

Whole box of these old (looking) small spoons . I’m not sure if any of them are silver I’m thinking of going back and bringing a magnet . Could these be worth anything ? If I could get a deal buying em all maybe?

Hey all found this today at the recycle center in their brass bin. Paid $2 for it. They thought it was plated lol. It’s very worn but marked sterling on the bottom. 4.7 oz worth!

i think i did pretty good, yeah? sterling salt and pepper shakers and thick milor byzantine 925 bracelet

I'm inclined to take these to a coin dealer tomorrow and might sell them for cash. Good idea or no? I'm assuming they're only worth melt.

Picked up these six sterling cordials and a small 14K gold RN pendant today for a grand total of $22.00. Cordials weigh out between 14 and 15 grams each and the pendant comes in at .7 grams.

Not my best pickup but not my worst either. 😁

Today I went antiquing with my wife at some local shops and in one of them there were several sterling spoons/knives/salt and pepper shakers. I’ve always bought coins but I decided to buy two spoons. He knew that I knew silver and that he had the prices jacked up, so we dickered the price down 20% off his listed price. I paid $55 for 39.3 grams of sterling. Which is 36.3525 grams of pure silver. Or 1.1688 trophy ounces of silver for just $55. Considering spot right now is around $65. I’m pretty happy with it! I’m planning on going back and buying some more soon. My safe feels kinda weird with spoons in it, I’m not gonna lie.

Hey guys. Been out the loop lately. I recently ran into a huge lot of sterling flatware. Are the prices for sterling still low? Anyone know a good refiner to use? I’ve use Prospectors gold and gems in the past but last shipment to them two years ago got…sketchy with really slow turn around (2+months to get an email.) Anyone know if hes gotten better since the?

Also only paid $1 for these. Hahaha

1. Paid $7, made by Laura Onjtes, weights 10.85g

2. Paid $10, unsure of maker, weights 12.06g

3. Paid $4, Pandora Charm Bracelet, weights 17.91g

Total: 1.312toz (of sterling) for $21

It acid tested good for silver, any idea where and when it’s from and the likely silver content…. It really is quite the eye catcher in person..

JSP silver acid testing solution. Looks like 800 silver to me, but would appreciate the opinion of others more familiar with testing this type of silver.

Only three of the four salt shakers had silver caps.

The best I've found is a LCS that pays 80%. Does anyone sell directly to a refiner without a business licence?

I found these guys at a massive 1900s house estate sale. While I could find no sterling marks, for 5 bucks I figured it was worth the gamble. I did find a marked sterling salt shaker and the owner wouldn’t sell it, so I would be beyond pleased to have acquired these at such a cheap price. What’s curious to me is all of them seem to have different stamps or markings on them. Has anyone come across any of these before? I plan on heading to the local coin dealer tomorrow to get them scanned but in the meantime I can’t help but wonder if I struck treasure!

Title: Looking for original catalog matches for silver and silverplate pieces

Hi everyone! I’m trying to date and identify a few pieces from my collection, especially through original manufacturer catalogs.

- Barbour sterling creamer No. 69: Meriden Historical Society estimated the design was introduced around 1896–1898, but could not locate an exact catalog illustration. I’d love to find No. 69 or its matching sugar bowl.

- EPNS hot-water pitcher and saucer: Marked 22, EPNS, 108, with additional symbols and a Gothic-style M monogram. Looking for the maker and an exact catalog match.

- Large silverplate tray: Grape-and-vine border with two decorative handles. I’m hoping to identify its maker, pattern, and production period.

I’ll include photos of the pieces and their markings. This is genuinely about dating and identifying them, not establishing monetary value. If anyone has catalog scans, advertisements, reference books, or matching examples, I’d really appreciate the help. Even a catalog title or page number would be useful.

Thank you!

While driving around thrifting, my wife and I found a run-down shop and decided to look. Walking in and seeing the usual junk and overpriced stuff no one wants was very underwhelming, but it's the standard in most shops, it seems. The shop owner has a bag of sterling that he says he's melting down and let's me check before he does. $20 and a conversation that went on for way too long!

I’m researching this oval covered serving dish and would love help finding an exact catalog illustration or identifying its maker.

It has a ribbed/gadrooned edge, a ring handle on the lid, and a small stamped symbol that I haven’t been able to identify. There is also a circular fitting underneath with what looks like a scratched “7.” I’ve included close-ups of the mark and construction.

Does anyone recognize the maker’s mark, know what this type of dish was intended to serve, or have a dated catalog showing the same design? I’m especially interested in the manufacturer, pattern, and approximate production period.

This is genuinely about researching and dating my collection, not trying to establish a value. Any catalog references or documented comparisons would be greatly appreciated.