A guide to buying antique silver on ebay

Hello and welcome to the Silver2treasure guide to buying Antique Silver on eBay. Tips on before you buy, handling silver,affordability, where else to buy, starting a collection, our eBay guide, the silver2treasure shop and ends on modern silver.
Before you buy

It is no good crying over spilt milk or so the saying goes. There is no excuse for not educating yourself before you step into the world of buying antique silver especially on line. Research is essential especially in regard to expensive items. Having said this there is a lot of help available to you. The beauty of British silver is in the Hallmarking system. In our main website at Silver2Treasure we have pages linked to reference sites for British and Continental Hallmarks which are essential references for the new and experienced buyer alike. You will also want to consider the benefit of investing in silver and our main website contains an article with some of the benefits of investing in silver. Value has strong links to weight in the silver world and understanding the different definitions of an "ounce" can be found in another helpful page at Troy ounce Whilst the internet is a rich source of information there is nothing like a good reference book and I recommend Jackson's Silver and Gold Marks together with International Hallmarks on Silver collected by Tardy. There are many more and we have created a web page of silver books on eBay at Antique Silver Books as an easy staring point. Despite your best efforts in research be prepared to make mistakes. We all do and it is all part of the learning experience.

Handling Silver

You might think this a strange heading but I really believe you need to pick up and touch and feel a variety of silver in your early days of collecting. You can do this at Antique Fairs, Flea Markets and Auction Houses as well as high street shops. You will feel how a thick heavy gauge antique silver item such as a teapot feels completely different to a mass produced modern example. You will better understand the difference by an embossed decoration and an engraved decoration by its feel much better than reading this in any book. For me the whole beauty of silver is in its ability for everyday use. I am not a fan of leaving it locked away in a vault or cupboard. By handling as much different silver as you can early on in your collecting life you will quickly learn what styles or makers that appeal to you most and this will help to focus your area of collecting.

What can you afford to buy?

This one is purely down to you. The best tip I can give is buy the most expensive and original piece you can afford. I would always look for a quality maker and a un repaired or un restored item. If possible pieces without engravings or armorials are more desirable and will appreciate in value quicker. A quick note on condition. Any antique silver item has had many owners. It the early days of its existence it would have been owned by someone of wealth employing servants. They may not always have lavished the love and care you may be able to. Transfer of ownership over the years attracts wear and tear and you should expect some minor dents or dings on anything you buy. If you do find a piece without any wear and tear it will be rare indeed and very valuable or maybe something to be cautious about.

Where to go to buy?

Ebay obviously? Well actually yes but with some significant qualifications. First you should have visited a number of antique fairs, flea markets and auction houses to get a "feel for silver". Part of this process might also include antique shops and dealers. Here you will get a lot of advice, knowledge and help but at a price. They will have building and staff overheads which they have to pass on to the customer. Ebay however allows private collectors and dealers alike to trade without having to factor in these costs. Please read the following eBay part of this guide carefully.

Starting your collection

Your collection will be as varied and as personal as your taste allows. Some collect periods and styles such as baroque, rococo, queen anne, georgian, victorian, art deco, art nouvea etc the choice is endless. Some collect specific items such as caddy spoons or vesta cases (please see my other ebay guide on Vesta Cases). Whatever you choose there is a lifetime of pleasure ahead of you as well as creating a family heirloom which can be handed on through future generations; remember we are but temporary guardians of these beautiful items.

Our eBay guide to buying silver.

In your research phase you would be wise to read all of eBays own guides to buyers. Remember if an auction looks too good to be true it probably is! Of all the advice I would start first at knowing your seller. Why is this important? Well if what you buy has a problem you will want to get it resolved quickly and without hassle. Look for the sellers feedback and pay particular attention to the number of feedbacks and then look at as many feedback entries as you can. This will give you a good idea of how the seller conducts themselves. View our feedback Check they have a returns policy and if they don't then email them and ask. Use the email the same as if the person was in the room with you; do not be afraid to ask as many silly questions as you like. The sellers should respond positively and helpfully.If they do not, find a seller who does. Look through the eBay Shop categories, find the biggest sellers and go through their shop listings, there are many things you will never find by just focussing on eBay auctions alone.

Check you understand the paypal buyer protection and does the seller display the paypal logo. If you view a shop see if they have the best offer option on listings. A realistic offer may save you 10 - 15% off the asking price all for the cost of a click of the mouse! Be very cautious of postage charges especially where they include insurance. Most carriers do not insure antique silver to travel from the UK abroad, however this is not widely known and you do not want to discover it is uninsured if you have to make a claim, if in doubt email and ask. Remember my earlier advice on research? At www.silver2treasure.com we have web pages where you will find Most popular silver on ebay Newly listed silver on ebay Completed listings with prices made all created so that you do not have to trawl through loads of web pages.

Silver2 Treasure on eBay

If you read and follow the above advice we hope to see you sometime in our eBay shop at We only trade on eBay and take pride in our silver stock and customer service. Our website at Silver2Treasure has useful advice and guidance on silver and as well as our ebay shop it links back to eBay for specific categories of silver. The whole site has been designed to make your ebay silver buying experience a pleasure. And a final note, don't completely ignore modern silver as this is the antique of the future!

About the Author
Steve Freeman is a partner in silver2treasure a web based antique silver business. Please visit us at Silver2Treasure I also maintain websites for Jewellery and watches,Moorcroft Pottery,Military Medals,Postcards,Teddy Bears,motobility aids,myford lathes and many others for the dedicated collector. Just follow the links from Silver2Treasure