silvercoinsmart.com http://silvercoinsmart.com silver dollar coins, franklin mint, Mexican & Canadian Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:35:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 en Understanding the Basics of Silver http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/understanding-the-basics-of-silver/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/understanding-the-basics-of-silver/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:30:05 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=96 Silver is the most plentiful and least expensive of the precious metals. The largest silver producing countries are Mexico, Peru, the US, Australia and Chile. We get silver from silver that is mined directly and also silver that is mined as a byproduct of gold, copper, lead and zinc mining. Silver also comes from silver extracted from recycled materials. Most of the silver supply is in silver bullion stocks.

Silver has superior properties that make it a highly desirable industrial component in manufactured products. Some of its unique properties include beauty, strength, and sensitivity to light. It is also malleable and has the ability to endure extreme temperature changes.

Silver is used in for many different things and some of the traditional uses include; coins, photography, silver jewelry, and silverware and table settings. Silver has been used as a medium of exchange since 550BC, and until the 19th century most nations were on a silver standard with silver coins forming the main circulating currency. Today, Mexico is the only country currently using silver even though it is in small amounts. Metals such as copper and nickel are the more commonly used metals for coins today.

Silver based photography is based on light striking sensitive silver halide crystals suspended on a film. Approximately 5,000 color photographs can be taken using one ounce of silver. The use of silver based imaging has been decreasing because of the growth of digital photography. This technique is still used for medical x-rays in some countries because of the low cost and high accuracy.

Silver Jewelry is highly prized for its brilliant luster and malleability. Pure silver is known as 999 fineness, and is almost tarnish proof but is too soft to use in jewelry. Silversmiths alloy silver with other metals such as copper to harden it. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Sterling silver is a standard for silver jewelry. Sterling silver is also the standard for silverware, bowls and decorative items such as picture frames.

Silver is used in many industrial products, such as batteries. Rechargeable and disposable batteries can be manufactured with silver alloys as the negative side. These batteries are more expensive but are superior to non-silver batteries. The most common of these types are the small button shaped silver oxide cell which are used in cameras, toys, hearing aids, watches and calculators. Silver oxide batteries are beginning to replace lithium-ion batteries due to environmental and safety concerns.

Steel ball bearings can be electroplated with silver to give them greater fatigue strength and load carrying capacity than any other type. These types of bearings are used in jet engines. Silver brazing is the joining of materials when done above 600 degrees Celsius and soldering when done below that temperature. This produces a naturally smooth, leak proof, and corrosion proof joint. Silver brazing is widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration and for electric power distribution. It is also used in the automobile and aerospace industries.

Silver like gold is used for a variety of things. Most people only think about silver being used in jewelry and for coins. Sterling silver is not only very beautiful but also used in different types of products.

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]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/understanding-the-basics-of-silver/feed/ World Renowned Franklin Mint Silver Coins http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/world-renowned-franklin-mint-silver-coins/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/world-renowned-franklin-mint-silver-coins/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:41:01 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=94 The Franklin mint Corporation is a private company which was established in the 1960s in Pennsylvania. It produces one of the most iconic coin like collectibles known as the Franklin mint Silver coin.

The founder was the visionary Joseph Segal who promulgated many Franklin Mint productions under the corporate banner. Majority of Americans consider it a staple American brand and source for choice items preferred by the lower income classes in America.

Initially the company promoted its private minted gold and silver guineas and memorial medals. Then with the passage of time, they branched out into the production of other collectibles.

A sharp increase in the value of silver in the 1960s brought all silver coins out of domestic exchange. Some casinos were making use of silver dollars in slot machines which actually became worth much more than a dollar.

The Franklin mint silver coin in fact was the first official replacement used at the slot machines to replace the silver dollar coin previously used by gamblers.

The Franklin Mint factory was a massive production facility with the capacity to produce numerous sets of coins, ingots and theme based medallions. These were sold on the subscription plan where buyers would order a periodic shipment of the various

Even though the Franklin Mint silver coins are the most popular of the entire product range, the company forayed into creating coin shaped collectible items from other precious and semi precious metals to increase the appeal and value of their products.

The unique themes of the coins allowed the company to increase its customer base and produce some classic and different appealing designs. Some of the products were designed as a tribute to popular personalities.

These moderately priced coins caused a collectors flurry in purchase as they were priced competitively in terms of the cost of silver.

The company developed other features like custom wood cases and fancy packaging in order to add more value to the collectible items. They even issued certificates with their products that had a great appeal to the collectors.

Introducing the above mentioned qualities had the impact of raising the purchase price of Franklin Mint coins. As the company was introducing these features to make their products silver prices began to rise.

The company then had to make use of pewter and bronze to make their products more affordable for the masses. But naturally pewter and bronze did not have the same effect on the collectors as did silver and hence the new line of collectibles did not become as popular as Franklin Mint silver coins.

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]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/world-renowned-franklin-mint-silver-coins/feed/ Not All Online Broker Are The Same http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/not-all-online-broker-are-the-same/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/not-all-online-broker-are-the-same/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:55:19 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=121 Most people know how to buy or sell a stock, but many are too lazy to bother looking into the different features that each brokerage firm offers. Here are a few ways that an online broker tries to help its customers.

It may be named retirement services or investing tools, but it’s nice to see a broker that gives you the tools to help you diversify, manage your risk and see your account in a whole different way.

You may not see stock broker and credit cards mixing but the best cash back credit cards are actually offered by stock brokers. Of course, they are offering it to get your business but I will take any advantages I can get.

Bill pay plus margin broker account equals awesome flexibility. You no longer need to worry too much about cash flow because margin rates are usually so low.

The higher end brokers are adding security by offering a security token. The physical token updates its pin to make sure that you actually own the token when you are logging in.

ATM cards from brokers are great because they don’t charge you any fees for withdrawal no matter where you take money out. In fact, they will give you money to compensate for the fact that other ATMs will charge you.

The brokerage firms with physical branches usually are the ones with better customer service as well. You will be happy to know that in case you have any problems and the lines are jam full or something, you can at least drive to the branch and talk to someone.

Reinvesting your dividends are a great way to build your investment portfolio but some unreasonable broker will charge you every time they purchase those stocks for you.

Multiple brokers are starting to offer a high yield savings account along with the investment account. This is great because you can use it as a cash sweep account and earn high yields.

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]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/not-all-online-broker-are-the-same/feed/ What Are Old Coins Worth? http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/what-are-old-coins-worth/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/what-are-old-coins-worth/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:51:05 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=104 Many coin collectors collect old coins for a lot of reasons. A lot of people collect coins as a hobby and others will collect coins for their new numismatic value or metals. Regardless coin collectors often find collecting coins rewarding and fun.

Some people will even collect coins just from one country others will collect coins made of certain metals or from certain era. Some collectors will collect just mint and others will collect any old coins of value.

Coin values are determined by many factors such as age, condition and where it was minted. In recent months many collectors are snapping up the more valuable mint coins and driving up the value of old coins because most coins contain precious metals such as gold and silver.

There are many people who often purchase their coins from local coin dealers. Often your best deals will be found online and at auction sites. There are many benefits to buying from either a local dealer or purchasing online.

The main benefit of collecting old coins from a dealer or local shop is you get to the see the coin up close. Another advantage you have is you are less likely to find a fake coin locally. When you deal locally with a local coin dealer or shop you often develop a relationship of trust in the dealer will often keep you informed of certain coins he knows you enjoy collecting.

The benefits of collecting old coins from auction sites online are numerous to. You often find coins at going prices which are considered acceptable when you purchase that auction prices without paying a premium. Also you can often find coins that would be difficult to find from your local coin dealer or coin shop.

Purchasing claims online may seem a little more confusing at first but once you develop a relationship with an online auction site or dealer it just makes it that much easier. Most auction sites have seller ratings to help you determine who may be worth buying from and who you may be able to trust. In today’s age most online sellers have good return policies so making a purchase online should not be a high risk.

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]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/what-are-old-coins-worth/feed/ Rather Than Silver Jewelry, The Chinese Four Seals Miao Wear A Historical Book On Their Body http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/rather-than-silver-jewelry-the-chinese-four-seals-miao-wear-a-historical-book-on-their-body/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/rather-than-silver-jewelry-the-chinese-four-seals-miao-wear-a-historical-book-on-their-body/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:09:57 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=105 Among all the tribes of the Miao ethnic group in southwestern China, the Four Seals Miao is a conspicuous one. The women don’t have silver jewels like other tribes, but wear colorful garments embroidered with four square patterns. Their pleated skirt are usually white or light blue. Some women like to use a long, wide blue cloth to wrap their hair bun.

The Four Seals Miao live in a beautiful village named Maige, which in Miao language means ” a place with plenty of trees”. A long time ago, a tribe of the Miao were driven by their enemy to the remote mountainous areas of southwestern China. To get rid of the enemy and lead a peaceful life, the Miao had to ruin all their identity documents. When a Shaikh was going to put the four big seals, a symbol of their tribe, into fire, a girl stood up and said, Why not print the designs of the seals onto my clothes before you ruin them? In this way, we will keep our national soul forever.

Since then, the tradition of embroidering four colorful square patterns on womens clothes began in this tribe, which got them the unique name the Four Seals Miao.

The Four Seals Miao are famous for their extraordinary batik technique with a history of over 2,000 years. Women use a special knife dipped into melt wax to paint exquisite patterns like animals, birds, and flowers onto a white cloth. The cloth is then dyed in blue liquid, and placed into boiling water to take away the wax. At last lovely blue designs are printed onto the cloth.

The local women spin, weave cloth, batik, sew, and do embroidery all by themselves. To prepare a set of clothes for holidays, they often spend seven to eight months on sewing and embroidery. Their frocks have a big, multiple layered collar embroidered with colorful designs. The largest seal- a square pattern on the front of the frock is especially noticeable. Their pleated skirt are highlighted with the embroidered horizontal lines which represent the rivers and lakes their ancestors ever crossed during their migration throughout China.

Their houses are built with stones and dirt. Corn is their staple food. Rice is considered expensive food which they only eat several times in a year. They farm on the hillside. Their farmland is fertilized by manure carried there by the women. Everyday the women will go back and forth 5 to 6 times between their homes and the farmland. They are living a simple, hard life.

For single young people, they have their own holidays to look for their partners. The famous Flower Dance Festival is held on the fifth day of the first lunar month. They get together to talk, sing, and dance. In the evening they will hold a bonfire party where they sing songs to express their love. The festival lasts for a few days.

The ceremony of releasing soul of a dead person from purgatory is also held during this festival. One man is selected to wrap his body in the dead person’s clothes, singing and dancing, with the Lusheng music as a background. In this way, the dead person’s soul could ascend into the heaven.

The people in the tribe like to raise thrush as one of their hobbies. Kept into a cage, a thrush makes beautiful sounds which are pleasant to hear. Some thrushes are trained to imitate the sounds of other animals, including hen, rooster, cat, and dog. Go to their village on a beautiful sunny day, you will hear the sweet songs of a thrush.

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]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/rather-than-silver-jewelry-the-chinese-four-seals-miao-wear-a-historical-book-on-their-body/feed/ What Determines The Price And Worth Of Roman Coins http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/what-determines-the-price-and-worth-of-roman-coins/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/what-determines-the-price-and-worth-of-roman-coins/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:46:00 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=118 Ever wondered what Emperors like Constantine the Great, Cleopatra or Julius Caesar looked like and wanted to hold something in your hand that may have been held by one of these Emperors or someone living during that time.

If you have an interest in the ancient past and enjoy collecting things but you have a low budget you should consider collecting Roman Coins.

There are a number of reasons why I prefer collecting Roman coins then other antiques including other ancient coins.

While other ancient coins can be interesting a very large variety of Roman coins exist due to the vast time and area that the Roman Empire covered. Countless coins were minted over the first few centuries that the Roman Empire existed and these coins reflect the time and location of the region.

Also its great to know what the Roman Emperors looked like. It was common practice during the time of the Roman Empire to inscribe the portrait of the Emperor on the coins that were minted during their reign.

Roman coins are the least expensive of all Ancient coins. Other ancient coins include for example Greek, Barbaric, Celtic, Parthian, Nabathaean, Islamic, Indian and Chinese.

This can come as a surprise to many considering how ancient these coins are. Yet they can be even cheaper then some of the modern day coins that coin collectors collect. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly as already stated the Roman empire was large and so there were a lot of coins minted. Many Roman coins are therefore not as rare as many believe. Another reason is that there are few collectors of ancient coins then modern coins. This makes the demand for them lower.

There are also less forgeries of Roman coins then other coins particularly modern day coins. This is largely due to the fact that they are less rare and expensive.

Another reason Roman coins are great to collect is that they do not just have historical value but also artistic value. These coins were cleverly and beautifully crafted and tell a story from the time and area that they were minted.

Roman Coins had intrinsic value. Unlike coins today these coins were made from Gold, Silver, Bronze etc. Should you have a higher budget this gives you the chance to collect the more special and rarer Gold and Silver coins which were worth many more times their weight in those metals.

What determines the worth of a Roman coin

The price of a coin ranges significantly due to a number of factors. The two biggest factors being the condition the coin is in and the grade of the coin.

The condition of the coin depends on how the coin was stored before being found or how tarnished the coin has become due to minerals in the ground.

The grade is determined by how the coin was minted during Roman times. These coins were hand made and so are not always very circular or detailed. A Roman coin can be less detailed and of less value if it was struck by dies that were worn down.

Trying to determine the grade of a coin can be tricky and occasionally you have to go with how appealing and detailed you think the coin is.

Another factor that determines a coins worth is how rare that coin is. Rarity is less of a factor in determining a Roman coins value then modern day coins.

Coin collectors are less likely to be competing for the same coin when trying to complete their Roman coin collection and each collection will be different. Also more people collect modern coins and so there is greater demand. Rare Roman coins do exist thanks to Emperors who had a short reign. Fewer coins would have been minted during their reign making them rarely and more expensive today.

You should be wary of coin dealers that use terms such as rare or very rare to describe a coin. A coin that is described as rare may not necessarily be rare. Some of those who are new to coin collecting will be misled by such claims. If someone describes a coin as rare you should determine how rare and why the coin is rare. Does the dealer of the coin give an RIC number and provide the range. Do not be tempted to purchase a coin just because someone describes it as rare.

Once you become more experienced it will be much easier to determine yourself if a coin is uncommon, scarce, rare or very rare.

How much should you pay for a Roman Coin

Do not purchase a Roman coin if it is described as rare and being sold for less then $100 as it is unlikely to be rare. Rare coins will not sell for less then $100. Some eBay sellers will claim that their coin is rare and you will not see another like it for years yet you find the same coin on eBay sold by someone else.

To give you an idea of the variation of price for Roman coins, for $5-$10 you can buy decent quality coins issued under a number of the late-3rd and 4th century AD emperors.

For about $10-$20, you can collect a coin from the more famous 1st and 2nd century emperors, and of many later ones in very nice condition. In fact, for $20 a coin, you can quite easily assemble a collection of more than half of the emperors (over 50) in very nice condition with clear portraits and readable legends.

Dont forget there are a variety of coins for each emperor. Some of these coins will cost much more and are in better condition or more scarce. However you shouldnt have to look much further if you want to assemble a collection of fairly good quality coins without having to spend too much.

Why not occasionally purchase a more expensive and rare coin, or one of a high grade or condition made out of Gold or Silver. This could be very expensive but could be resold to a coin dealer for a good price. Some prefer cheaper coins that require some cleaning as it adds to the mystery and occasionally a rare and expensive coin can be found.

So, to summarize, buy coins that you find interesting and that appeal to you. No two coins of the same type will be exactly the same; choose the one that you think is better value for your money. Look around to see if a nicer looking coin might be also affordable if that is what you really want, and hence save yourself the trouble of replacing it later or regretting that you bought it in the first place. Do not worry about rarity too much!

]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/coins/what-determines-the-price-and-worth-of-roman-coins/feed/ Silver Goblets Make Great Traditional Pieces http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/silver-goblets-make-great-traditional-pieces/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/silver-goblets-make-great-traditional-pieces/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:09:47 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=122 Anyone interested in the idea of buying wine goblets will have to do some thinking before deciding exactly what it is that they want. Aside from the obvious factors like price, it’s important that any goblets selected appeal to the personal preferences of the buyer.

Some of the factors that must be considered when wine buying goblets involve exactly how they’ll match up with your kitchen set. While items like crystal ones go with just about anything, things like silver goblets can be very hit or miss and your current dining set must go well with these in order to make it work.

If you do have something more traditional in place, silver goblets will make an excellent addition to your dining room. The quality of these is extremely high, and they can be found for quite competitive prices online.

Anyone eating at your table will most definitely appreciate the added touch, and they’ll feel like they were dining with King Arthur himself at the round table.

While these silver goblets are no doubt beautiful wine goblets, not everyone may have the financial means to afford them all. Much of the price will depend on the manufacturer and the grade of silver used, but these can be quite expensive.

Don’t despair though. There are plenty of other lower priced silver goblets that can easily be found by spending some time looking for the best deals on the web. There are plenty of sales and incentives for great quality wine goblets made of silver.

It never hurts to shop around locally and see what’s available in person, but there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll find the best deals on silver wine goblets on the web.

A quick search can yield hundreds of different options, and shipping prices are extremely reasonable as well. This is definitely the recommended course of action for anyone interested in goblet shopping.

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]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/silver/silver-goblets-make-great-traditional-pieces/feed/ Buying Or Selling A Grandfather Wall Clock? http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/buying-or-selling-a-grandfather-wall-clock/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/buying-or-selling-a-grandfather-wall-clock/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:09:10 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=88 Are you ready to buy or sell an antique grandfather wall clock? If so have you read the first article in this series “Never Pass Up A Chance to Buy A Grandfather wall clock”? If not, I suggest you read it before reading any further. Before you buy or sell an antique clock or valuable antique grandfather wall clock, make sure to have the clock appraised by an accredited appraiser. Because there are no licensed appraisers, it is best to get an appraiser that is a member in good standing with the “International Society of Appraisers (ISA)” or “American Society of Appraisers” or “Appraisers Association of America”. Be careful, if they are not an accredited appraiser they may under pricing that rare grandfather wall you are selling or talk you into paying too much for an antique clock they are trying to unload.

Are they qualified?

If they cannot answer this question directly, move on to someone else. An accredited appraiser will have a formal education in appraisal theory. They will be up to date in procedures, ethics and the law. Having completed many appraisals, they will have a thorough knowledge of grandfather wall clock. When asked, they should be willing to provide you with an appraiser’s professional profile, resume and references.

Will any appraiser due?

To appraise an antique grandfather wall clock correctly, a particular kind of appraiser is required and not just one who knows antique furniture. They must know the cabinet markings, type of wood, and finish for this model of grandfather wall clock or pendulum clock. They will also know what type of grandfather wall clock movement was originally used and if the movement is mechanically sound. They will know whether the grandfather wall clock chime or tubes have been altered or changed after they left the factory. An accredited appraiser will know the details and some of the history of the clock and if not will be able to gather the correct information for you. Above all they will specialize in grandfather wall clocks and have a deep understanding of their origin and history.

What appraisal society do they belong to?

As part of a nationally recognized appraisal organization, they are taught and ethically bound to give typewritten appraisals as part of the process. Any person who does not belong to a recognized appraisal society may be unwilling to give you a written document for fear that if taken to court or questioned by the IRs it will be invalidated.

How are they paid?

Professional appraisers are paid by the hour, a flat rate or by the piece. A professional appraiser will never charge a percentage of the value of the grandfather wall clock or charge a contingency fee. This is barred because it causes the appraiser to fug on the value of the grandfather wall clock and they will not give you an unemotional unbiased report. This is why most well written and accepted appraisal reports contain a paragraph on the method of payment.

What will the final appraisal look like?

The report must be a formal typewritten document. It must contain a statement to the “type of value” or “purpose this appraisal” is for and how the appraisal will be used. It must contain the methods and resources used to document its value. It must contain a detailed and accurate description of the grandfather wall clock and any alterations done (replacements, repairs, restorations) so someone could identify the grandfather wall clock without photographs. If must contain the date, the location and the effective date of value. The report must contain a statement such that the appraiser has no financial interest in the grandfather wall clock or must state their financial interest clearly in the report. It will also contain the appraiser’s qualifications and signature.

For those buying a grandfather wall clock.

If you are a buyer of a high dollar grandfather wall clock, make sure that the seller has a valid appraiser’s report or ask that one be done. The report is for your protection should anything arise concerning the grandfather wall clock. Make sure it is typewritten and signed. Make sure the appraisal fee is documented in the report and it was not based on the grandfather wall clock value or on a contingency fee. Make sure the purpose and assigned use is stated clearly. Make sure that the appraiser is qualified to appraise a grandfather wall clock. Make sure the appraiser is willing to back any statements made in the report in a court of law (subject to a separate fee arrangement).

Michael

]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/buying-or-selling-a-grandfather-wall-clock/feed/ How To Tell If The Antique Is Fake Or Real http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/how-to-tell-if-the-antique-is-fake-or-real/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/how-to-tell-if-the-antique-is-fake-or-real/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:35:44 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=86 Antique, from the Latin word “antiquus” meaning old, is any old item of about at least 50 years of age, and is still highly desirable because of its quality, present condition, uniqueness, rarity, and the beauty it has, despite of the years that have passed. Antiques can be an old furniture, a recovered statue from the war age, an old typewriter, or anything that still have a high value up to this very moment.

In buying antiques, you should take into consider many important factors, so wouldn’t be deceived by the fake ones. You must have the keen eye to spot a fake from the original. Also, there are many antique reproductions available all over, which are also of high quality but they shouldn’t be replaced or be confused with the original ones, since the original antiques still deserves a higher price and value.

The first thing to do is to investigate through visual inspection. You look and inspect if the item really passes the qualifications of being a high valued antique. You may need to do some studies and researches first so you wouldn’t come to the antique shop empty handed.

The next thing to inspect is the item’s material. An antique with a high price and value should be created out of quality materials. The fact that it lasted for many years and still has retained its appearance and shape is one proof that it was made from a top of the line material in the past.

The next factor which is also very much important is the antique’s quality. Of course, who wants to purchase a low quality one? Especially if the antique comes with a high price, you wouldn’t want to spend that much for a substandard, or worse, a fake one! You must also recognize if it’s a real antique or just a reproduction, since the real thing still costs much higher than a replica.

Last thing to know is whether the antique is real or not. One factor is that if the dealer is a member of some national antique collectors association like CINOA. If he is, then you’ll be assured that you’re making the right deal.

Whether you are a dealer or an antique collector, you should have the eye and the instinct to identify a real antique, so as not to be deceived by others. And with the few basic tips provided above, you are rest assured that the antique that you have is the real thing.

]]> http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/how-to-tell-if-the-antique-is-fake-or-real/feed/ Antique Silver - Shimmering Artifacts For Your Collection http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/antique-silver-shimmering-artifacts-for-your-collection/ http://silvercoinsmart.com/antique/antique-silver-shimmering-artifacts-for-your-collection/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:05:39 +0000 andrew http://silvercoinsmart.com/?p=83 If you are a collector of rare items then you can hardly do without Antique Silver. Out of most collectibles, Antique Silver is extremely prevalent due to the sheer breadth of items that can be found under this category including coins, jewelry, tableware, decorative and a whole lot more.

The most common source of Antique Silver has to be the royal and noble families of yesteryears. Silverware was a staple in these families and today, exquisite silver articles such as plates, bowls, cutlery etc can be found for sale. Most of these showcase wonderful craftsmanship and are generally stamped with the family crest. Even though with the advent of electroplating technology silverware has become accessible to the common man today, such examples of old silver are still valued for their exclusivity.

Antique silver items are relatively commonplace in the antique market. However, it is important to possess some idea of the style and patterns of the available ones. There are hundreds of distinct style and patterns present in the market. To make a selection amongst them is really difficult. Moreover, authentication of a genuine silver piece is very important. You should make sure to look for the ‘hallmark’ that can provide you the information regarding the designer and the origin.

With the inclusion of electroplating, silver crockery has turn out to be an affordable extravagance in average households. If you are looking for antique silver, it will be more likely that you are searching for the sterling silver flatware or sterling silver tableware. Sterling silver wares are rarer and they usually include the name of the maker and initials along with detailed location where these items were manufactured.

There are quite a few testing methods to test for genuine Antique Silver. One of them is an acid test which your jeweler can perform on request and with the payment of a fee. An important tip to remember while handling silver is not to use a touchstone. Instead, you can take the silverware in your hand, scratch a small portion on the underside and apply a bit of Nitric Acid. If the spot turns grey, it is sterling silver. If it turns black it is coin silver. A green color indicates electroplated items.

Antique silver ware and sterling silver pieces exhibit a couple of distinctive properties. The stored value of these objects attracts all those who are interested in collecting antique silver items. As a collector, you will not only enjoy the utility, beauty and aesthetics but also the financial dividends. It is a type of asset that benefits collectors and investors against currency devaluation and inflation.

Amongst antique silver, jewelry and silverware are extremely popular, especially amongst women. It can add a different charm to your appearance when worn as an ornament. Silver bracelets, especially ’silver charm bracelets’ are available in a diverse sizes, colors, and designs and is a popular accessory amongst women.

You can come across antique silver while dealing with old coins. Collection of coins is a popular hobby but the one that features such antique pieces definitely gives the owner a high. Chinese antique coins, Roman antique coins and American antique coins form a part of this list of valuables.

Buying an antique silver piece is not enough. As these items are delicate you need to polish them regularly. Store all the antique jewelry in a separate place. These items are prone to natural conditions that can result in dents, scratches, fractures and corrosion. Proper and regular cleaning with a soft cloth will help in maintaining your antique silver collection for future use.

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