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Page 18 The Antique Shoppe June, 2019
WHAT’S IT WORTH ANTIQUES MINUTE The Civil War Collector

BY: Mike Ivankovich By John Sexton

12 Ways to Tell If It’s Sterling Silver John, thanks for taking my call today. I’ve attached a

I am amazed at the number of and any Jeweler or “We Buy Gold” couple of pictures of the tongue piece I found. I’m trying to
figure out if it is a military artifact or not, and as much other
people who can’t tell the difference store can test it. We can test it for you information about it as possible. I found it last October while
between Sterling Silver and Silverplate. as well. metal detecting at a farmhouse built in 1851 in Kenosha
There is a huge value difference and, if Here are several other tips— County, Wisconsin. Any information you can provide would be
you don’t know how to tell one from • Weight: Sterling is typically lighter greatly appreciated!
the other, be prepared to be taken and more flexible than Silverplate.
JS: I have never seen very much written on “sash
advantage of when you decide to sell. • Company Name: The presence of buckles”. They are excavated in many sites, including
Pure Silver is 99.9% pure and is a company name such as “Gorham” Civil War military camps, but more often around house
typically used only in does not automatically sites. There are many varieties; some of the more common
silver bars & ingots. indicate Sterling have a central device of various eagles, a star like yours, a A sash buckle with star emblem,
Because pure silver is because such fluted anchor, and others. I have seen one on a lightweight $300-$350. Sash buckles were
so soft and malleable companies often made cloth belt with advertising for a San Francisco firm worn by soldiers and civilians.
it must be mixed with both Sterling and associated with mining. You see photographs occasionally,
either daguerreotypes or ambrotypes of miners wearing two-piece buckles of this genre.
another metal to Silverplate items. You also see photographs of women occasionally wearing a 2-piece buckle, but I don’t
strengthen it, usually • Hallmarks: These recall being able to see the device. These were worn on lightweight belts or possibly sashes.
copper or tin. Sterling do not always Even though I’m not sure who made these or why, there have been many sales over the
Silver is always 92.5% indicate Sterling and years by dealers. The best non-excavated examples that are complete with both parts have
pure silver and 7.5% were used by some sold for over $1,000 in the past, but there was usually an interesting story with them, or they
other base metal. It should be Sterling Silver if either of companies to provide were associated with California mining in the 1850s. th
The star was a popular decorative device in the 19 century and is found in many genres.
Never more and these markings appear anywhere on the added perceived Several states adopted the star including Maine and Mississippi, but most often, everyone
never less. If it says flatware or decorative accessories. value or as part of a thinks of Texas. Consequently, anything that is Texas brings a premium in the antique
“Sterling”, is has to be company logo. world, so most enterprising dealers would advertise this buckle as “Texas,” though that’s
92.5% pure silver. BEWARE: Just because something not necessarily the case. You can probably find a similar tongue portion of the buckle like
Here are ten ways to tell if it’s is marked “Sterling” or “925” does yours priced at a tradeshow for $300-$350.
“Sterling Silver” or some similar silver not guaranty its authenticity. We are Good morning, Mr. Sexton. I recently acquired a sword from an auction of items that belonged
fineness. seeing an increasing number of fake to our county history museum that closed. For some odd reason (lack of advertising), most of the
• Sterling: If it says “Sterling” it will items with fake marks and it may be items didn’t sell. I purchased this sword a week after the auction. Anyhow, it’s such a fine and
be 92.5% pure silver necessary to cut through the outer apparently rare sword that I don’t feel it’s in the interest of history that I keep it as I am by no
• 925: If it says “925” it’s Sterling silver layer and then “Acid Test” to means a collector. I can only find a couple that are currently for sale, and neither is in as good of
shape.
and 92.5% pure silver confirm its originality and fineness. I was hoping to get a value and advice on where to sell such an item. As far as its history, I
Periodically different silver Most fakes seem to be coming from contacted a member of our county’s new museum who advised me they purchased the sword from
standards were implemented in the China. the Lake County History Museum (a private museum, collector Robert Vogel) in 1965 when it
United States and Great Britain: WHAT’S IT WORTH: We once had a closed, and they displayed it in the new Lake County Discovery Museum until they sold off the
• Britannia Silver: If it says “958” client that brought us a Rubbermaid property recently, which is how I obtained it.
As you can see from the pictures, it looks like it’s been in a museum for over fifty years, aside
or “Britannia” it’s usually “Britannia tub filled with silver-type items. from one repair to the leather scabbard. This example does not bear crossed cannons or Tecumseh.
Silver” which is 95.8% pure silver and We sorted the contents in three Rather, it has the Caduceus and sword with a drum and patriotic shield. Also, the banner above the
the remainder is usually copper categories: Sterling - Silverplate - eagle reads “E Pluribus Unum” rather than “Liberty”.
• Coin Silver: If it says “900” or Pewter. We sent them home with the JS: Your sword is a beautiful example of the US model 1832 general staff officer’s sword.
“Coin” it’s usually “Coin Silver” and Silverplate and Pewter and suggested There are variations in this pattern, as many were purchased privately for state or militia
90.0% pure silver. Coin Silver was that they sell it at a garage sale. We issue. Yours is a standard pattern with the leather scabbard with three large gilded brass
often made by melting coins that were sold the Sterling for nearly $5000. mounts. Some private-purchase swords have fancier engraved, solid gilded brass scabbards
90% silver The point here is that one-half of a and unique blade etchings with names on state seals that make them more desirable in the
Countries other than the United Rubbermaid tub of Sterling brought marketplace.
States and Great Britain often used close to $5000. If you need help You note your blade etching has a different decoration than you have found on the
some other silver fineness, such as: identifying and selling your precious others, including a caduceus, a drum and patriotic shield (panoply of
• 950: If it says “950” it will be metals, call us at 215-264-4304. We arms), and “E Pluribus Unum” instead of “Liberty” on the ribbon held by An Ames 1832
general staff
95.0% pure silver and may be from can identify it, estimate value, and the eagle. The Ames sword making company offered a variety of blade- officer’s sword
edge decorations, and value is not determined by the blade etching, unless
France, Mexico, or some other then sell it for you using our product it is a presentation sword. that didn’t sell
at a museum
country knowledge and extensive list of This pattern, along with most other antebellum sword patterns, has auction but
• Mexican Sterling: Depending on reputable contacts. And we’ll always been very soft in the market over the past few years. A rarer variety of the was purchased
where made in Mexico, this may be get more for you than you’ll get on standard pattern such as you have is one that is US inspected, meaning afterwards.
marked “950”, “925” or “900” your own. Guaranteed. it was issued to the regular army, and they are quite rare. There is a nice
• 830: If it says “830” it will be inspected example for sale for $6,000 at one of the best Civil War dealer
83% pure silver and is often from Mike Ivankovich is an Auctioneer, Appraiser, Home shops, HorseSoldier.com.
Average examples without full-luster blades and problem scabbards
Scandinavia Downsizing Expert, and host of the “What’s It sell in the antique arms market for an average of about $1,200. The last
Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser” Radio Show.
• 850 or 800: Either number Now in its 5th year, “What’s It Worth” airs live in extremely fine example of this standard pattern sold as lot 723 at Morphy
could mean Germany or some other the Philadelphia PA area on Friday mornings from Auctions in Denver, Penn., on November 8, 2018 for $3,900. That
country. 9:30-10:30 AM EST on WBCB 1490 AM, and on the example was indeed as close to pristine as you will find with a perfect
Internet at:. You can also visit his Radio Show Web
Just because it’s unmarked doesn’t Site: www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com If your local blade and scabbard. Your example, other than the break in the leather
mean that it can’t be Sterling. station doesn’t carry “What’s It Worth” tell them they scabbard, appears excellent also. It would be worthwhile to have the
need to add it to their programing mix. If you know
Although a marking will usually anyone who needs any Personal Property Appraisal leather break professionally repaired.
identify Sterling, sometimes unmarked work, or if you need a Speaker for an upcoming John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an
silver can be identified through “Acid meeting or event, call Mike at (215)-264-4304, or visit: accredited member of various appraiser organizations. He can be contacted at: john@
www.michaelivankovichappraisals.com
Testing”: This is a very simple process CivilWarDealer.com, 770-329-4984 or www.CivilWarDealer.com. For a free appraisal of a
Civil War item, email a photo and a description to him or to mclwriter@gmail.com