Coin silver vs Sterling

[barrymb]

Hi,
What is the differnce between American watch cases marked "coin silver" and "sterling"? In the 1870's when these case were sold, what was the relative differnce in price?
Thanks
Barry

[barrymb]

Hi,
What is the differnce between American watch cases marked "coin silver" and "sterling"? In the 1870's when these case were sold, what was the relative differnce in price?
Thanks
Barry

[mikeh]

I believe coin is .800 pure and sterling is .925 so my guess is that coin would have been somewhat cheaper.

Regards,
Mike

[doug sinclair]

Barry,

To most of the world, coin silver is 800/1,000 (.800) pure. In the 18th century, American coin was close to sterling (.925). In the early 19th century, the .900 purity standard was adopted for American coin silver. So, American coin silver cases are .900 pure, and sterling is .925. We often run into silver of English origin which is marked .935. There is yet another category of silver alloy called Brittania silver. Darned if I can find what the purity of it is. Anyone know?

Found it! Brittania silver was a standard used in Great Britain from 1697 to 1720, and the purity was 95.84 %. Rarely used today.

As for difference in price, there would not likely be very much difference between AMERICAN coin silver and sterling, but there would be rather more difference between
.800 coin and sterling. In about 1865, the USA adopted a standard of 92.1 % (.921) for sterling. Don't know if that standard still applies.

Regards,
Doug S.

[This message has been edited by Doug Sinclair (edited 04-06-2002).]

[doug sinclair]

Charles,

I think you are questioning the standard for Brittania silver? Here's how I have it figured: 23 (as in karat) divided by 24 = 95.833 , or rounded of to 95.84 (.9584). I found this information from two different sources I believe to be reliable, so I believe .9584 to be correct. Unless the US had its own standard for Brittania silver (.959) which I rather doubt because the British used it for such a short time, so long ago. I have seen no reference to "Scottish" silver. However, using the same math, 22 divided by 24 = 91.666, rounded of to .917. You sure he wasn't talking about 22 karat gold in your reference to Scottish silver?

Cam,

If the case in question is an American made case, the word COIN means as above. If it is an English case, I don't know. I am unable to find a British standard mark for any quality less than steling (.925). However, I don't know what alloy English silver coinage was made of, or American silver coinage either, for that matter. The vendor seems to imply that the English at one time were making American coinage, and were using up a bunch of it in watch cases after America started to produce its own coinage. Is that your reading on this? If that is the case, then that would have been at a time before watches were even produced in America. Reading between the lines, it seems as though the vendor is selling an English made watch with a case made of unneeded American coinage. Sounds like hoakum to me!


Regards,
Doug S.


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[Julian Smith]

Some item from early Colonial time were actually made from coin silver. A housewife would save up coins and when she had enough she would take them to her local silversmith and he would melt them down and cast spoons or whatnot for her.I doubt thatwatch cases were made this way but it could be where coin silver started.
J Smith

[mikeh]

All,

I thought it was called coin because it of the same purity as silver coins of the day. Any truth tho this?

Regards,
Mike

[doug sinclair]

Mike,

It seems as though a bunch of us are basing our posts on what we each interpret as our best available sources. The best available sources do not appear to agree. The result is a growing number of seeming inconsistencies in what is being reported. I'm going to say "I just don't know", and back off. Two sources I have seen today specify that COIN silver in America is .900 fine, and has been so since the early 19th century! In fact, I have been unable to find a reference that states that .800 has ever been recognized in America! It would be so nice if American coin silver cases had a decimal equivalent stamped into them. But I have never seen one stamped in that way.

Charles,

I don't think that, since Roy Ehrhardt has chosen to "round off" the standard mark for Brittania silver, his standard becomes the new standard. I refer to Ehrhardt very often, but I'll stick with official sources for the their interpretation of the Brittania silver standard mark, thankyou!
Regards,
Doug S.

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[This message has been edited by Doug Sinclair (edited 04-06-2002).]

[doug sinclair]

Cam,

I looked that coin silver case up, and it is an American made case, by Fahy's. I think I have quite clearly stated what I think American coin silver is, and what the case made of. You will hear other opinions. I guess you'll have to choose! I think the vendor "invented" a story there.

Regards,
Doug S.

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[rrwatch]

I believe that all American coin silver is .900 fine, the same as American coinage back when U. S. coins actually were made of silver. Another marking you will find on watch cases, both from Europe and the U.S. is "fine silver". This is essentially pure silver and is .995 fine. Needless to say it is softer than Sterling or coin and will wear a little faster.
European coln silver can be a little tricky to evaluate. I have seen cases marked "coin silver" that had .800, .850, .875 and .900 purity marks. Apparently it depends on where and when the case was made.

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Ed Ueberall
NAWCC #49688

[doug sinclair]

Ed,

Thankyou for that. It more or less confirms what I have said all along. And, thanks for the additional information.

Regards,
Doug S.

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[Charles Medsker]

Sorry Doug, if you thought I was trying to start an argument about anything. I do apologize.