Given the current economic uncertainty, both in the U.S. and other developed countries, it is increasingly smart to get the best value we can for our product purchases. With the vast array of competition, both online and offline, there is little reason to pay full price for genuine sterling silver box antiques.
When thinking of shopping online, eBay represents one of the leaders for online shopping. The social proof of eBay is achieved by its international scale and user participation rates. Millions of users in over 30 countries use eBay each day for selling, buying, researching and reviewing new and pre-owned products.
Are you worried about the safety of using your credit card online? EBay also holds the same priority. And they have a host of measures in place to ensure the online shopping experience is risk free for both buyers and sellers.
The combination of eBay's Seller Feedback system and Paypal's Buyer Protection Program make the online purchasing environment safe and secure.
The eBay buyer interface offers the internet shopper choices such as: buy now; make an offer; or bid on an auction within a risk free online environment.
 LARGE HEAVY SOLID SILVER CIGARETTE BOX 1953 UNENGRAVED 843GM US $946.42  
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 Antique Sterling Silver Cigarette Box Case with Gold US $220.00
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 Andersen NORWAY Sterling Silver Enamel Spoon Box US $450.00
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 antique boxed set 6 sterling silver butter knives US $78.00
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 ELVIS PRISCILLA PRESLEY STERLING SILVER JEWLERY BOX US $40,000.00
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 Antique Sterling Silver Match Box Holder US $350.00
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 VINTAGE BOXED SET 6 SPOONS WITH COFFEE BEAN HANDLES STERLING SILVER HALLMARKED US $52.14 13 Bids
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 georgian solid silver spoon dated 1791 boxed George III US $55.30 0 Bid
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Whether you look for collecting sterling or silver plate antiques, the following tips apply.
1. Make a decision on a silver: Style, Historical Period or Artist.
Reflect upon your way-of-life and unique preferences, then come up with choices that are a good fit. Do you expect to use your antique silver flatware daily, or only use items from your collection for special occasions?
Antique silver flatware is a very extensive collectible niche comprising a great deal of specialist areas. It can depend on the style of collector you are. For example, some collectors put emphasis on a distinctive pattern style, while others target a certain silverware artist or historical era
Some antique sterling silverware collectors concentrate on a particular style of antique silver flatware, such as: cups or goblets, while others have more varied passions and broaden into regional silver flatware, such as Spanish or Mexican, or pieces from specific makers, such as: Reed & Barton.
2. Mix-n-Match
Be bold with accumulating a variety of silverware design patterns.
This collecting tactic provides awesome aesthetic charm to a table setting. This is a delightful choice particularly with difficult-to-find, or rare silver flatware patterns. And is often a must for putting together a set sizable enough for entertaining your family, friends or guests.
3. Signs of Overuse or Damage
A history of overuse does not automatically lessen the value of antique silverware or sterling silver flatware, while actual damage may or may not. For instance, minor damage or defects on a rare flatware piece will not significantly reduce its value. The price of a tarnished piece will be lower than retail, of course. Be cautious of buying tarnished silver flatware via the internet. Pictures can be fake and disguise apparent wear, damage or repair. Purchasing tarnished pieces at estate sales and flea markets may be an affordable option, but examining them closely for problems remains an essential skill for your collecting hobby or business.
4. Monograms
Quite a few collectors view aged, elaborate monograms as a lost art form and historically relevant. It does not detract from the desirability or importance of a silver flatware collectible when a monogram is displayed. Most pieces are, however, have more market worth without a monogram. As you become more familiar with antique silver and sterling silver flatware, you will develop skills to ascertain if the monogram has been removed. Monogram erasing can damage a piece of antique silver and significantly decrease its selling price.
5. Authenticity
A number of collectors under value antique silverware pieces that have been updated, such as those with replacement knife blades. Silverplated knife blades are often found with wear. They can easily be replaced on hollow handle knives, Certain collectors desire to have them refitted with stainless steel blades. But, stainless steel was not introduced in flatware manufacturing until the early 1920s. This is one of those factors of collecting that can be a matter of personal inclination, but you do need to be mindful that your antique silver flatware may lessen in value if you modify the knife blades.
6. Repair
Dents, or general types of damage can be repaired by a silversmith. A silversmith is also skilled for replating silver flatware pieces. The cost can be expensive for more common items, but it is definitely worth it to restore rare antique silver flatware pieces. cut to look like ice cream forks or a sugar spoon was altered to resemble a sugar sifter. As your skills improve, look for signs of modification and avoid buying those modified pieces.
8. Fake Antique Silver Flatware
New fake pieces in common and rare patterns appear for sale on a regular basis on the Internet. Examples include:, salt spoons and rare pieces such as assorted knives, forks and spoons. Several of these types of silver flatware have no manufacture's marks. Further, forged maker's markings in silver have persisted centuries. The age of an antique silverware piece does not automatically indicate it's authenticity. So the lesson here is start and continue your learning and improve your skills to reduce the risk of investing in forged or fake antique silverware collectibles.
Boxes - recently sold sterling silver antiques.