BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
WAYNE
FOUNDER, ANTIQUES OF SUSSEX
30+ YEARS' EXPERIENCE
CALL AOS FOR YOUR FREE OFFICE APPOINTMENT OR HOME VISIT
A Guide to Selling Silver & Silverware in Sussex
Call Me: 07586402927 | WhatsApp: Send photographs for a free initial opinion | Email: info@antiquesofsussex.co.uk | Visit My Office: Haywards Heath (By Appointment)
Backed by over 200 five-star Google reviews and more than 30 years of experience, Antiques of Sussex provides straightforward valuations for all types of silver. Whether you've set aside a single sterling silver spoon, a tarnished tea service from a relative's sideboard, or an entire cabinet of family heirlooms, I offer free home visits throughout Sussex as well as private office appointments by arrangement.
Parting with family items is rarely just a transaction. More often than not, it follows a house clearance or the passing of a relative, meaning you might be sorting through cupboards and drawers filled with things you haven't looked at in decades. It is completely normal to feel a bit unsure about what you're holding or worry about accepting less than things are worth. My aim is simply to take the guesswork out of it and make the whole experience relaxed and transparent.
When you invite me round, I look at everything personally. I'll sit down with you, turn the pieces over to check the hallmarks, talk you through the makers, and explain what you actually have. If you decide to sell right then and there, payment is made by secure bank transfer. If you'd rather hold onto everything for a while longer, that is completely fine too - there is never any pressure. My aim is simply to give you an honest appraisal so you can make your own mind up with total peace of mind.
What Silver & Silverware Do I Buy?
From everyday household tableware to rare antique collectables, I'm always happy to look over what you've found. Age doesn't matter nearly as much as quality and character.
Items I frequently appraise include:
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Sterling Silver (925) and Britannia Silver (958)
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Antique and modern silverware
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English and Continental silver pieces
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Tea sets, coffee pots, trays and salvers
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Cutlery sets, canteens and individual flatware
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Candlesticks, bowls, dishes and presentation trophies
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Silver jewellery, boxes, cigarette cases, vesta cases and photo frames
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Decorative ornaments and oddments
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Scrap, broken or heavily damaged silver
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Full inherited collections and house clearance lots
Whenever I examine a dining service or a handful of loose cutlery, I evaluate each piece on its own merits. Two outwardly similar teapots can carry entirely different values once you look closer at who made them and when they were struck.
FAIR, STRAIGHTFORWARD OFFERS | CONFIDENTIAL TRANSACTIONS | SECURE BANK TRANSFER
Recently Purchased Silver Collection
Vintage Silver Salver
An English vintage silver salver that I recently valued and purchased from a client during an appraisal in Lewes. As you can see, there is no need to clean or polish your silver items before my visit - I value all silverware in its original condition.
Silver Collection
This collection was purchased during a home visit in Sussex and included sterling silver cutlery, serving pieces, trays and a beautiful silver tea service. Many clients are surprised to discover that everyday-looking silverware can be worth significantly more than expected once the hallmarks, age and maker have been identified.
Collections purchased during home visits across Sussex frequently include sterling silver cutlery, serving pieces, trays and matching tea services. Many clients are surprised to discover that everyday-looking silverware can turn out to be solid sterling silver once the hallmarks, age and maker have been identified.
Many of the silver collections I purchase have been passed down through generations and often remain tucked away in cupboards or display cabinets. Some owners know exactly what they have, while others simply want an honest opinion before deciding whether to sell.
Whether you have a single silver tray or an entire dining service, I carefully examine every piece individually. I look for hallmarks, makers, age, weight and overall condition to help determine its potential value. While silver is often purchased for its precious metal content, antique and collectable pieces can sometimes be worth considerably more because of their rarity, craftsmanship or historical significance.
My aim is always to provide clear, straightforward advice so you fully understand what you own before making any decision.
How I Value Your Silver
I never rely on a simple set of scales when I'm looking at silver. Dropping everything onto a scale and quoting a melt price misses the entire story of the piece.
During an appraisal, I weigh up several distinct factors:
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Hallmarks & Stamps: The physical stamps that tell us the purity level and origin.
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Maker & Silversmith: Work by notable makers commands a dedicated following.
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Period & Age: Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian items carry historical appeal.
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Condition & Completeness: Matching sets or well-preserved surfaces fetch stronger interest.
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Artistry & Rarity: Unusual design choices or intricate hand-chasing change the equation entirely.
One of the most common things I hear from people across Sussex is, "I thought it was only silver plate." In reality, I regularly visit homes where a few forgotten pieces turn out to be solid sterling silver.
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By looking closely at the details rather than rushing through, I can usually spot when an item has genuine collector appeal. And if something really is just scrap, I'll tell you straight so you always know where you stand.
Detailed Silverware & Cutlery Collection
Close-up of hallmarked sterling silver cutlery purchased during a home valuation in Sussex. Individual pieces and incomplete sets can often be worth more than expected depending on their age, maker and silver content.
Looking closely at individual pieces often reveals details that dramatically affect their value. Hallmarks, maker's marks and subtle differences in craftsmanship can easily be overlooked without careful examination.
Many collections include a mixture of serving utensils, forks, spoons and other flatware accumulated over decades. Even when a set is incomplete, individual pieces by sought-after makers or from particular periods can still attract strong interest.
This close-up shows the sort of details I examine during every valuation. Rather than simply weighing silver together, I inspect each item individually to identify anything that may carry collector value as well as its intrinsic silver content.
Understanding Silver Hallmarks
People often ask me how to spot the difference between genuine solid silver and plated items. The secret usually hides in the small, stamped marks tucked away near the rim, underneath a base, or along the edge of a handle.
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Most traditional British silver is sterling grade, containing 92.5% pure silver, which is traditionally marked with the walking Lion Passant. You might occasionally encounter Britannia silver, bearing a seated figure mark, indicating a higher 95.8% purity standard. Continental imports and older pieces often feature different stamps altogether.
A classic British hallmark typically groups together:
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The purity standard symbol (such as the Lion Passant)
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The Assay Office town mark (like the leopard's head for London or anchor for Birmingham)
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A date letter indicating the exact year of assay
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The maker's or silversmith's sponsor mark
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Historical duty marks from periods when a tax was levied on silver
Finding and decoding these marks is part of the fun when I'm sorting through a box of items. You don't need to hunt for them yourself beforehand - leave the magnifying glass to me, and I'll walk you through what the stamps mean piece by piece.
When Antique Silver Outperforms Scrap Value
It's easy to assume that silver is only ever worth what it would fetch down at the smelter, but historical and artistic merit frequently changes that maths.
A matched set of Georgian table spoons or a decorative Victorian presentation box often commands a price tag driven heavily by who made it and how well it has survived. Collectors look for specific stylistic periods, crisp engraving, and makers who mastered their craft generations ago.
When items retain their original charm or form part of a complete suite, they are worth far more intact than broken down. My job is to protect that extra value for you rather than defaulting to a quick, easy melt-down price.
Antique Silver & Collectable Silver Items
This collection of antique sterling silver includes decorative boxes, cigarette cases, a silver flask and other collectable items purchased during home valuations across Sussex. Pieces like these often carry collector value in addition to their silver content.
Smaller antique pieces - like the silver cigarette cases, vinaigrettes, and card cases shown here - frequently turn up in desk drawers or old travel chests during home appointments across the county.
These portable pieces of craftsmanship often tell fascinating stories about Victorian and Edwardian social habits. Because they combine utility with fine decorative art, they attract steady interest from collectors who appreciate the finer details of period silversmithing.
If you have a collection of small silver items or odd dressing table accessories, don't write them off as clutter. Even if you aren't sure whether they're solid or plated, I'm always happy to take a look during a visit.
Why Choose Antiques of Sussex?
Inviting someone into your home to appraise valuable belongings requires trust. Because I run my business independently rather than operating out of a corporate shopfront, you deal directly with me from your initial WhatsApp photo right through to our meeting.
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Decades of Experience: Over 30 years spent handling precious metals and antiques across the region.
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Verified Local Reputation: Backed by a strong base of client reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.
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Flexible Appointments: Free home visits across East and West Sussex, or private office meetings if preferred.
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Direct Dealings: Clear explanations, straightforward numbers, and secure bank transfer for anything you choose to sell.
My goal is simply to ensure you feel respected and well-informed throughout the entire process, with zero pressure to make a rushed decision.
FAIR, STRAIGHTFORWARD OFFERS | CONFIDENTIAL TRANSACTIONS | SECURE BANK TRANSFER
Victorian Sterling Silver Locket
This beautifully engraved Victorian sterling silver locket was purchased during a home valuation in Sussex. Antique silver jewellery often carries both intrinsic silver value and additional interest for collectors due to its age, craftsmanship and design.
Items like this engraved Victorian locket show just how much character silver jewellery can hold. Pieces from the 19th century often feature hand-carved floral patterns or monogram work that mass production simply cannot replicate.
When families clear out old jewellery boxes, silver chains, bangles, and lockets frequently get bundled together with costume pieces. I always advise letting a professional sort through them; a tarnished silver pendant with an intact maker's mark can hold unexpected value.
Even if a clasp is broken or a piece is missing its hinge, solid silver jewellery retains its intrinsic material worth and can often be restored or repurposed by collectors.
Antique Sterling Silver Spoons
Hallmarked antique sterling silver spoons purchased during valuations across Sussex. Even individual spoons can have significant value depending on their maker, age and silver content.
Silver spoons are probably the items I encounter most often. They tend to emerge from kitchen drawers wrapped in old flannel or tucked away in forgotten wooden canteens.
While finding a single stray spoon might seem insignificant, older examples made by renowned silversmiths can turn out to be genuinely desirable. Even individual spoons can be worth far more than their silver content because of their maker, age or rarity.
I'm always happy to examine loose spoons, check the hallmarks against registration records, and explain exactly what you've got. Whether it's one spoon or an inherited collection, I'll give you a fair and honest appraisal with no obligation to sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy silver plated items?
Yes, I'm happy to look at plated items alongside solid pieces. While plate carries lower material value, exceptional antique or decorative plated items can still possess aesthetic and collector appeal.
Should I clean my silver before you arrive?
Please leave everything exactly as it is. Vigorous scrubbing or harsh commercial dips can scratch soft metal surfaces or strip away patinas that collectors actually prefer to see.
How can I tell if my silver is genuine solid metal?
Authentic pieces usually carry hallmark stamps, but these can wear down or hide beneath layers of tarnish. I bring the right testing tools and experience to inspect each item accurately.
Will you buy damaged, bent or broken silver?
Definitely. Dented teapots, snapped chains and broken flatware still retain their core precious metal value and are always worth including in an assessment.
Can you help value an entire house clearance or estate collection?
Yes. Handling large inherited collections across multiple rooms is a regular part of my work. I can sort through everything methodically without you needing to box and haul heavy items around.
How do I get started?
Drop me a quick message on WhatsApp with a few clear photos of what you have. I can usually give you an initial impression before arranging a convenient time for me to visit your home or meet at my office.
The Areas I Cover
My discreet home valuation service covers every town and village across East Sussex and West Sussex. To provide more detailed local information, I have created dedicated pages for some of the key areas I regularly visit, including:
Whether you're clearing out a drawer full of old cutlery, handling an inherited estate, or simply curious about a silver tea set sitting in your cabinet, I'm here to help you figure it out.
You'll get an honest, personal assessment backed by decades of hands-on experience, with zero pressure and secure bank transfer if you decide to sell your items.
Snap a quick photo on your phone and send it over via WhatsApp to get the conversation started, or give me a call to book a home visit anywhere across Sussex.