Start by gathering everything together
Collect all silver items in one place — dining room cabinets, attic boxes, drawer inserts. Lay everything out and sort into three groups: items with visible hallmarks, items that look silver but are unmarked, and items that may be plated (look for EPNS, EP, or A1 marks).
Don't throw anything away at this stage. Broken or incomplete items still have silver value if they're solid. Assess before you discard.
Identify what you actually have
Use a magnifying glass or loupe to examine each piece for hallmarks. The key mark is the lion passant — a walking lion — which confirms genuine sterling silver. Read our complete hallmarks guide if you need help with this step.
Weigh it
Digital kitchen scales work fine. Weigh all solid silver items together for a total weight. This gives you a baseline — a few hundred grams could be worth several hundred pounds at current prices.
Understand your options
You have several choices: Keep it (for sentimental value or use); Sell for scrap (straightforward, quick, fair price based on metal content); Sell as antiques (if complete, excellent condition, prestigious maker); Get a formal valuation (useful for probate purposes or insurance).
When selling for scrap makes sense
For most inherited silver — incomplete canteens, mixed pieces, tarnished hollowware — selling for scrap is the most practical option. The antique market for Victorian and Edwardian silverware has softened; scrap value often equals or exceeds resale value for common pieces today.
The InstaSilver process
We handle inherited silver regularly, including probate submissions. Everything is postal — no appointments needed. We issue a free tracked Royal Mail QR label, test professionally on arrival, and send a confirmed offer. If you're dealing with a large collection, contact us first and we'll advise on the best approach.