Looking to find value, maker, and year of items posted.
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Value is determined by the weight of the item and whether or not it is silver or just plated. I cannot read the markings clearly. A silver item will say 925, STER or Sterling.
Thanks for sharing! I have been in your shoes with these kind of trays and here's what I experienced:
1. The markings (which I can't read on the photo) are almost impossible to translate today because there were so many used--because they are often worn and faded and unclear and because most buyers don't care about who made it (unless they are trying to finish a set for something like Rodgers or one of the other companies that always clearly marked their pieces.
It is easiest to take it to reputable place that sells gold and silver and have it tested to see what metal you have and then decide what to do with it. Some of the folks at the gold/silver dealers recognize marks right away so you may get lucky in that respect.
Try to find one that has a testing gun vs. the testing kits. If you have a Treasure Hunt in your town, I have had the best experience with them. They have the testing gun AND pay fair prices.
The gun reads the metal content without scratching the tray. The scratch test can damage the tray if not done right.
2. If it is sterling silver (and not plated) you will probably do best to sell it for scrap IF silver is having a good week. Last week, or maybe it was two weeks ago now, silver was up. I haven't checked it this week.
3. If it is plated, ones as ornate as this one are still selling online IF they are pristine (meaning no pits and scratches, tarnish usually is NOT a factor as people know they will have to keep these clean with tarnish remover).
The catch is that there is a glut out there at the moment and I find they sell about 1/4 of the time--so for every hundred auctions, 25 sell, and 75 sit unsold often for months and months at a time. If you have time and patience, you can get them to sell online (eBay is the most popular place to sell, but some people like to sell these on Etsy (they say they get a little more).
4. If the item is in bad shape--heavily pitted and scratched and is silver plated, some scrap metal dealers will take them for scrap metal, but you get pennies for them. Still that is a last resort and it is better than it going to the landfill.
Where there is a small market for the badly damaged ones (and you get very little, but you can sometimes sell them) is with artists who take the heavily damaged ones and make them into things...like use chalk paint and such. I know one artist who occasionally picks them up to use to make mosaics on them using crushed glass. You can put them in local marketplaces like Next Door or Facebook and see if you get any nibbles that way.
Post back what you learn! Hope you get good news that it is real sterling and that the values are up in the market!
First confirm if it is real silver or plated, real silver's value is in the weight and condition. If it is antique the value go up more.Have it checked by a trusted specialist!
To find value you need to figure out if it is sterling or plated. Some jewelry shops will help you with identifying if its sterling or not. Also, any antique dealers, pawn shops (if you know a trusted one) can help you identify sterling, plated, etc.
The only way to determine maker and year is by identifying markings. Im unable to make out the markings in the photo, otherwise I would help you search. Antique dealers may be able to help with that as well.
Good luck!
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