Antique Silver – an Heirloom and an Investment
Thursday, August 20th, 2009Antique Silver – An Heirloom
In the past, a family tradition was to pass down antique silver as a heirloom as a wedding gift to a new bride. Finest silver was crafted in many beautiful and often, ornate designs. This was tableware at its finest. The weight of each knife, fork, spoon and accessory silverware was obvious. It felt wonderful to hold an heirloom silver knife and fork in one’s hand at a special dinner. There were other fine-crafted silver pieces that included a formal coffee and tea set as well as chargers that rested beneath hand-painted china. Antique silver pieces also were produced as vases, urns, goblets, silver statuary, ash trays, serving trays, combs, brushes, mirrors, cigarette cases and ladies powder compacts. In the past, it was believed that silver had a special mineral value that added to the flavor of foods just as copper kettles did. However, silver tableware does require regular polishing or a slight, dull green cast will reduce its gleam and shine.
Antique Silver – An Investment
Another reason for the purchase of fine pieces of silver was its value. In times of economic difficulty, silver could be sold at the current currency value of the times. As with gold, silver rarely loses value and remains a stable investment. The most valuable silver is based upon the percentage of silver purity or amount of silver contained in the creation of the silver pieces. Add to this, the age of the silver and the prestige of its craftsmen and silver can be quite a good investment for collectors. Another factor in the value of silver may also be the location from which it has been mined. Though silver is considered second in value to gold where minerals are concerned, silver maintains a good return on investment over time.

