marks and hallmarks of American silver plate manufacturers and American and Canadian sterling silver, coin silver, solid silver and silverplate makers: the illustrated directory of marks, location, history of American metalware makers of EPNS, EPBM, EPWM - Electroplate on White Metal, ACADEMY SILVER, ACME SILVER COMPANY, Acme Silver Plate Co, WILLIAM ADAMS INC, ADELPHI SILVER PLATE CO, ALLAN Silverplate Marks Illustrated - Most extensive internet resource for research of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker's Marks Scratch the item. If the metal under the scratch is different from a silver-grey color, the item is silver plate. According to Ebay, if "EP", "EPNS" or "Silver on Copper" are marked on an item, it is electroplated silver, which is not sterling silver. alphabetical glossary AA-AZ of the illustrated guide to marks and hallmarks of Sheffield and Birmingham silver plate makers, whith the addition of other British, Scottish and Irish silverplate makers and retailers, their trade marks and alphabetic symbols as E.P.N.S. (Electroplated Nickel Silver) and EPBM(Electroplated Britannia Metal), the most common names attributed to silver plate items.
An extensive reference guide to silver marks, hallmarks, trademarks and on antique and vintage silver, especially sterling and coin silver, and silverplate. Adelphi Silver Plate Co. New York, NY 1890-c. 1912. Albany Silver Plate Co.
Many other marks can be found on a silverplate piece. The most common are EPNS (Electro Plated Nickel Silver) and EPBM (Electro Plated Britannia Metal). They identify the metal alloy used as base metal for electro-deposition of silver. Further details in the EPNS/EPBM page Most marks on silver plate, regardless of the size of the mark, were mostly struck by machine presses because the base metal was heavier and stronger than solid silver. Complex marks, like the Tiffany example previously discussed, may include both standard company marks found on all pieces, as well as unique marks for individual pieces such as an order number, pattern number, date letter and others. marks and hallmarks of American silver plate manufacturers and American and Canadian sterling silver, coin silver, solid silver and silverplate makers: the illustrated directory of marks, location, history of American metalware makers of EPNS, EPBM, EPWM - Electroplate on White Metal, ACADEMY SILVER, ACME SILVER COMPANY, Acme Silver Plate Co, WILLIAM ADAMS INC, ADELPHI SILVER PLATE CO, ALLAN Silverplate Marks Illustrated - Most extensive internet resource for research of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker's Marks Scratch the item. If the metal under the scratch is different from a silver-grey color, the item is silver plate. According to Ebay, if "EP", "EPNS" or "Silver on Copper" are marked on an item, it is electroplated silver, which is not sterling silver.
The hallmarking of British silver is based on a combination of marks that allow the identification of the origin and the age of each piece. According to Ebay, if "EP", "EPNS" or "Silver on Copper" are marked on an item, it is electroplated silver, which is not sterling silver. Drop a drop of silver acid on a silver item to determine whether it is plated or sterling.
A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, THE MARKS ON ENGLISH SILVERPLATE AND ELECTROPLATED SILVER silverplate is MARK, while the term HALLMARK is reserved to sterling silver items