How do I identify Sheffield silver hallmarks?

To identify Sheffield silver hallmarks, look at images published on the Sheffield Assay Office's official website. Most silver objects produced in Sheffield, England, will feature a lion's head marking indicating 92.5% pure silver. In addition, they will usually display a crown, rose or combination of both symbols. For assistance with the identification process, use the services of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer.

Sheffield is an English city known to collectors largely for its production of silverplate, not sterling silver. Sheffield silverplate is a durable combination of thin silver sheets and comparatively thicker sheets of copper that was used to create a variety of household objects for years.

In order to identify authentic Sheffield silverplate, you need to look for one significant attribute of the material. A metalworker had to ensure that all of the exposed edges of a particular piece had to be covered with a rim of silver. If not, the middle layer, which comprised copper, would show through. This would reveal that the piece was not sterling silver.

Find a collection of antique Sheffield silverplate on 1stDibs.