*If it says "silver" does it mean it is silver? The pieces shown left have no silver in them, at all. Prior to the National Gold and Silver Stamping Act of 1905, American manufactures could mark a piece with words like "silver", "Sterling" and "coin, even if the item contained absolutely no silver! If you find a piece marked with phrases like "Nevada Silver" or "Brazil Silver" as the examples show, you know it was produced before the law took effect.

*Interested in finding out more about antique silver? Visit the Press and Publications page to buy All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks, by Diana Sanders Cinamon.