Sterling & Scrap Silver
Value sterling (.925), Britannia, US coin silver, Scandinavian (.830), European (.800) and lower-fineness silver by weight.
- —0.0000 oz · 92.5%
How sterling and scrap silver valuation works
Sterling, Britannia, coin silver and lower-fineness alloys all contain a known percentage of pure silver. Weigh the item, pick the alloy, and the calculator returns the spot-based melt value of the silver content. Add unlimited lines for mixed lots of flatware, holloware and jewelry.
How it works
- 1Weigh your item on a digital scale. Grams is the most reliable unit for irregular shapes.
- 2Pick the alloy — sterling for .925 (most common), coin silver for .900 American flatware, .800 for many European pieces.
- 3Repeat for every piece. The sidebar gives a running total at current silver spot.
- 4Subtract the dealer or refiner's discount (typically 10%–30%) to get a realistic payout estimate.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat does '.925' or 'sterling' mean?
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% copper (or another metal) for hardness. A 100 g sterling teapot contains 92.5 g of pure silver, worth 2.974 troy oz × the silver spot price.
Where do I find the fineness mark on silverware?
Look for '925', 'sterling', 'STER', a lion passant (UK hallmark), '800', '835', or a country-specific assay mark on the underside of flatware, the inside of holloware, or near the clasp on jewelry.
Is silver-plated worth anything?
Silver plate is a microscopic layer of silver on a base metal core. The recoverable silver is usually less than the refining cost. This calculator is for solid silver items only.
How is 'coin silver' different from sterling?
American coin silver is .900 fine (90% pure) — the same fineness as pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and halves. Many 19th-century American spoons and bowls are coin silver, slightly less pure than sterling.
What discount do refiners pay against melt?
Most refiners pay 70%–90% of melt depending on quantity, purity verification, and refining margin. Local pawn shops typically pay less. This tool gives the gross intrinsic value to negotiate from.