Hidden Silver in Your Home: Old Coins and Flatware That May Be Worth More Than You Think

Oct 21

3 min read

Most people think of gold first when they clean out a drawer or go through a relative’s belongings. Silver is easy to overlook, and it’s often sitting in plain sight: in a coin jar, a dusty cutlery box, or a cabinet that hasn’t been opened in years.

Here’s what to look for, and how to find out what it’s worth.

Old Coins That Contain Real Silver

Not every old coin is valuable, but some contain real silver and are worth much more than face value. The dates matter most:

Canadian coins minted before 1968. Dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars from this era were struck in silver. Canada began moving to nickel in 1968, so coins from that year onward are generally not silver.
US coins minted before 1965. Dimes, quarters, and half dollars from before 1965 are silver. After that, the US switched to a copper-nickel blend.

A quick check: silver coins have a bright, clean edge, while newer clad coins show a copper-coloured stripe along the rim.

You may find these in:

Old coin jars and piggy banks
Inherited collections or coin albums
Change saved up over the decades
Souvenir sets and keepsake tins

Silver coins are bought by weight and silver content, so even worn, scratched, or dirty coins are worth selling. If you have a mix, our page on selling pre-1968 Canadian and pre-1965 US silver coins explains exactly which ones we buy.

Sterling Silver Flatware and Hollowware

The second big source of hidden silver is the dining room. Many families have a set of formal cutlery tucked away that rarely comes out. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, and it’s usually marked with “Sterling,” “925,” or “STER” on the back of the handle or the underside of a piece.

Look for:

Forks, knives, and spoons from complete or partial sets
Serving pieces, ladles, and carving sets
Tea services, teapots, and creamers
Candlesticks, trays, bowls, and other hollowware

Don’t worry about condition. Tarnish is cosmetic and doesn’t change the silver content. Missing pieces, mismatched sets, and worn patterns don’t matter either, since sterling is typically valued by weight. You can find more details on selling sterling silver flatware on our site.

A word of caution: silver-plated items look similar but contain only a thin layer of silver and have very little scrap value. Marks like “EPNS” or “silver plate” point to plated pieces.

How to Prepare Before You Sell

A few simple steps help you get the clearest picture:

1. Sort by type. Keep coins, flatware, and jewellery in separate groups.

2. Don’t clean aggressively. Harsh polishing isn’t necessary and can damage collectible items. Bring pieces as they are.

3. Look for marks and dates. Note any “925,” “Sterling,” or coin dates you can see.

4. Keep sets together. If you have a boxed set or original case, bring it along.

5. Set aside anything sentimental. If a piece has family meaning, it’s fine to keep it. Only sell what you’re ready to part with.

Why Selling to a Specialist Matters

Silver is priced by weight and market value, and the price changes daily. A specialist who weighs and tests your items in front of you and explains the calculation is a far safer bet than an anonymous kiosk or mail-in service.

At Five Star Gold Exchange, we’re BBB-accredited and work by appointment only, so there are no lineups. Father-and-son team Laszlo and Colton, with over 20 years of combined experience, evaluate your items with you, make an offer based on posted live prices, and pay the same day by cash or e-transfer if you accept. There’s no obligation to sell.

Ready to See What You Have?

Spend ten minutes looking through those drawers, jars, and cabinets. You may find more than you expected.

To book a free, no-obligation appointment, call 604-779-2755 or email info@fsge.ca. Our office is at #230 – 1140 Austin Ave, Coquitlam, serving clients across the Lower Mainland.