Germany Silver Coins
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Sterling silver
Origin of the alloy metal
Although the origin of the word "sterling" is controversial, there is general agreement that the sterling alloy originated in continental Europe, and was being used for commerce as early as the 12th century in the area that is now northern Germany.
Etymology
The earliest attestation of the term is in Old French form esterlin, in a charter of the abbey of Praux, dating to either 1085 or 1104. The english chronicler Orderic Vitalis (1075 - c. 1142) uses the Latin forms libr sterilensium and libr sterilensis monet. The word in origin refers to the newly introduced Norman silver penny.
The most plausible etymology is derivation from a late Old English *steorling "[coin] with a star", as some early Norman pennies were imprinted with a small star.
There are a number of obsolete hypotheses. One suggests a connection with starling, and another supposed connection with easterling, a term for natives of the Baltic or the Hanse towns of eastern Germany. This etymology is itself medieval, suggested by Walter de Pinchebek (ca. 1300) with the explanation that the coin was originally made by moneyers from that region (OED).
A century of dining regalia: the silver craze of 1840 to 1940
19th-century Tiffany & Co. Pitcher. Circa 1871. Pitcher has paneled sides, and repousse design with shells, scrolls and flowers. Top edge is repousse arrowhead leaf design.
From about 1840 to somewhere around 1940 in the United States and Europe, sterling silver flatware became de rigueur when setting a proper table. In fact, there was a marked increase in the number of silver companies that emerged during that period.
The height of the silver craze was during the 50-year period from 1870 to 1920. Flatware lines during this period sometimes included up to 100 different types of pieces. In conjunction with this, the dinner went from three courses to sometimes ten or more. There was a soup course, a salad course, a fruit course, a cheese course, an antipasto course, a fish course, the main course and a pastry or dessert course.
Individual eating implements often included forks (dinner fork, place fork, salad fork, pastry fork, shrimp or cocktail fork), spoons (teaspoon, coffee spoon, demitasse spoon, bouillon spoon, gumbo soup spoon, iced tea spoon) and knives (dinner knife, place knife, butter spreader, fruit knife, cheese knife). This was especially true during the Victorian time period, when etiquette dictated that nothing should be touched with one's fingers.
Serving pieces were often elaborately decorated and pierced and embellished with ivory, and could include any or all of the following: carving knife and fork, salad knife and fork, cold meat fork, punch ladle, soup ladle, gravy ladle, casserole serving spoon, berry spoon, lasagna server, macaroni server, asparagus server, cucumber server, tomato server, olive spoon, cheese scoop, fish knife and fork, pastry server, petit four server, cake knife, bon bon spoon, tiny salt spoon, sugar sifter or caster and crumb remover with brush.
Flatware sets were often accompanied by tea services, hot water pots, chocolate pots, trays and salvers, goblets, demitasse cups and saucers, liqueur cups, bouillon cups, egg cups, sterling plates, napkin rings, water and wine pitchers and coasters, candelabra and even elaborate centerpieces.
In fact, the craze with sterling even extended to business (sterling page clips, mechanical pencils, letter openers, calling card boxes, cigarette cases), to the boudoir (sterling dresser trays, mirrors, hair and suit brushes, pill bottles, manicure sets, shoehorns, perfume bottles, powder bottles, hair clips) and even to children (cups, flatware, rattles, christening sets).
A number of factors converged to make sterling fall out of favor around the time of World War II. The cost of labor rose (sterling pieces were all still mostly hand-made, with only the basics being done by machine). Only the wealthy could afford the large number of servants required for fancy dining with ten courses. And changes in aesthetics resulted in people desiring simpler dinnerware that was easier to clean.
Hallmarks
Over the years, most countries in the world have developed their own systems of hallmarking silver. The purpose of hallmark application is manifold:
To indicate the purity of the silver alloy used in the manufacture or hand-crafting of the piece.
To identify the silversmith or company that made the piece.
To note the date and/or location of the manufacture.
Miscellaneous
In addition to the uses of sterling silver mentioned above, there are some little known uses of sterling:
Medical instruments: Evidence of silver and/or silver-alloy surgical and medical instruments has been found in civilisations as early as Ur, Hellenistic-era Egypt and Rome, and their use continued until largely replaced in Western countries in the mid to late 20th century by cheaper, disposable plastic items. Its natural malleability is an obvious physical advantage, but it also exhibits medically-specific utility, including the fact that it is naturally aseptic, and, in respect of modern medical practices, it is resistant to antiseptics, heat sterilisation and body fluids.
Musical instruments: Due to sterling silver having a special sound character, some brasswind instrument manufacturers use 92.5% sterling silver as the material for making their instruments, including the flute and saxophones. For example, some leading saxophone manufactuers such as Selmer and Yanagisawa have crafted some of their saxophones from sterling silver, which they believe will make the instruments more resonant and colorful in timbre.
Tarnish and corrosion
As the purity of the silver decreases, the problem of corrosion or tarnishing increases.
Chemically, silver is not very reactivet does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures, so does not easily form a silver oxide. However, other metals in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air.
The black silver sulfide (Ag2S) is among the most insoluble salts in aqueous solution, a property that is exploited for separating silver ions from other positive ions.
Sodium chloride (NaCl) or common table salt is known to corrode silver-copper alloy, typically seen in silver salt shakers where corrosion appears around the holes in the top.
The Wikibook Do-It-Yourself has a page on the topic of
Polishing silver
Several products have been developed for the purpose of polishing silver that serve to remove sulfur from the metal without damaging or warping it. Because harsh polishing and buffing can permanently damage and devalue a piece of antique silver, valuable items are typically hand-polished to preserve the unique patinas of older pieces. Techniques such as wheel polishing, which are typically performed by professional jewelers or silver repair companies, are reserved for extreme tarnish or corrosion. See also Tarnish, Removal.
References
All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks, 2nd printing (2007), by Diana Sanders Cinamon, AAA Publishing, San Bernardino, CA.
Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, by lexicographer Eric Partridge.
The Oxford English Dictionary, by John Simpson and Edmund Weiner.
Silver in America, 18401940: A Century of Splendor, third edition (1997), by Charles L. Venable; Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, NY.
Tiffany Silver Flatware, 18451905: When Dining Was an Art, by William P. Hood, Jr.; 1999; published by the Antique Collectors Club Ltd., Suffolk, England.
The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, revised fourth edition (1998), by Dorothy T. Rainwater and Judy Redfield; Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, PA.
The Book of Old Silver, English American Foreign, With All Available Hallmarks Including Sheffield Plate Marks, by Seymour B. Wyler; 1937; Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, NY.
International Hallmarks on Silver Collected by Tardy, 5th English Language reprint (2000); original publication date unknown, date of first softcover publication 1985; author unknown; publisher unknown.
External links
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker's Marks, an award-winning site.
v d e
Jewelery
Forms
Anklet Belt buckle Belly chain Bracelet Brooch Chatelaine Crown Cufflink Earring lapel pin Necklace Pendant Ring Tiara Tie clip Watch (pocket)
Making
People
Bench jeweler Goldsmith Jewelry designer Lapidary Watchmaker
Processes
Casting (centrifugal, lost-wax, vacuum) Enameling Engraving Filigree Metal clay Plating Polishing Repouss and chasing Soldering Stonesetting Wire wrapping
Tools
Draw plate File Hammer Mandrel Pliers
Materials
Precious metals
Gold Palladium Platinum Rhodium Silver
Precious metal alloys
Britannia silver Colored gold Crown gold Electrum Platinum sterling Shakudo Shibuichi Sterling silver Tumbaga
Base metals/alloys
Brass Bronze Copper Kuromido Pewter Stainless steel Titanium
Mineral gemstones
Aventurine Agate Alexandrite Amethyst Aquamarine Carnelian Citrine Diamond Emerald Garnet Jade Jasper Malachite Lapis lazuli Moonstone Obsidian Onyx Opal Peridot Quartz Ruby Sapphire Sodalite Sunstone Tanzanite Tiger's Eye Topaz Tourmaline
Organic gemstones
Amber Copal Coral Jet Pearl Abalone
Terms
Carat (unit) Carat (purity) Finding Millesimal fineness
Related topics: Body piercing Fashion Gemology Metalworking Wearable art
Categories: Jewellery | Silversmithing | Silver | Jewellery making | Alloys | Precious metal alloysHidden categories: Articles lacking in-text citations from June 2009 | All articles lacking in-text citations
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![]() 11 GERMANY 20 PFENNIG 1873 to 1876 90 SILVER 00321 ASW each coin scrap $34.99 Time Remaining: 43m Buy It Now for only: $39.49 |
![]() 1939 D Germany 2 Mark Silver Coin Nazi Swastika $11.51 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 49m |
![]() 1865 Thaler Germany Prussia Koenig Silver Rare Coin Nice Condition $36.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 5m |
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![]() 11 GERMANY 20 PFENNIG 1873 to 1876 90 SILVER 00321 ASW each coin scrap $34.99 Time Remaining: 43m Buy It Now for only: $39.49 |
![]() 1939 D Germany 2 Mark Silver Coin Nazi Swastika $11.51 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 49m |
![]() 1865 Thaler Germany Prussia Koenig Silver Rare Coin Nice Condition $36.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 5m |
![]() 1964 Germany 5 Mark 150th Anniversary Fichte Silver Coin 9 $125.00 Time Remaining: 1h 33m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
![]() GERMANY WURTTEMBERG 1911 F 3 MARK SILVER COIN NEAR BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $100.00 Time Remaining: 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
![]() GERMANY PRUSSIA 1876 C 5 MARK SILVER COIN VF VF+ $85.00 Time Remaining: 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
![]() 1909 F GERMANY 3 MARK Silver Coin in a Slab Wuerttemberg 4823 ASW $19.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 7m |
![]() LOT OF 2 GERMANY Empire SILVER COIN 900 1 2 MARK 1918F1915A XF RARE $14.95 Time Remaining: 2h 23m |
![]() 1924G GERMANY 1 MARK SILVER COIN $12.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 25m |
![]() 1935D NAZI GERMANY 5 REICHSMARK SILVER COIN $19.00 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 25m |
![]() 1863B HANNOVER GERMANY 1 GROSCHEN SILVER COIN $9.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 29m |
![]() GERMANY COIN HITLER NAZI 1934 A 5 Reichsmark 900 SILVER HIGH GRADE Historical $19.25 Time Remaining: 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
![]() 5 REICH MARK GERMANY SILVER COIN XF VF nazi period 1936 A NICE COIN $17.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 59m |
![]() GERMANY Empire SILVER COIN 900 1 2 MARK 1916A XF RARE $7.95 Time Remaining: 3h 13m |
![]() 1936A 1938B NAZI 2 5 REICHSMARK 1 1941A PFENNIG GERMAN SILVER COIN SWASTIKA $50.00 Time Remaining: 3h 17m |
![]() GERMANY Empire SILVER COIN 900 ONE MARK 1915E XF RARE $9.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 21m |
![]() XX RARE 1937 A German 2 Mark SILVER COIN NAZI SWASTIKA GENUINE 3rd REICH GERMANY $13.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 28m |
![]() Germany Federal silver 5 mark coin 1969 Mercator $29.99 Time Remaining: 3h 31m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
![]() Germany Federal silver 5 mark coin 1978 Balthasar Neumann $29.99 Time Remaining: 3h 33m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
![]() XX RARE 1938 B German 2 Mark SILVER COIN NAZI SWASTIKA GENUINE 3rd REICH GERMANY $16.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 5m |
![]() Germany Hamburg 1908 J 2 Mark Coin Silver Lion Support $105.00 Time Remaining: 4h 5m Buy It Now for only: $105.00 |
![]() GERMANY 5 MARK 1968 Silver Coin Johannes Gutenberg Brilliant Uncirculated $12.00 Time Remaining: 4h 23m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
![]() 1905 F Germany Empire 1 2 Mark Silver Coin KM17 $22.00 Time Remaining: 4h 25m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
![]() XX RARE 1937 A German 2 Mark SILVER COIN NAZI SWASTIKA GENUINE 3rd REICH GERMANY $16.09 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 31m |
![]() GERMANY RARE10 EURO SILVER UNC COIN201020 YEARS OF GERMAN UNITYwcertificate $29.95 Time Remaining: 4h 32m |
![]() 1902 A Germany Prussia 2 Mark Silver Coin Wilhelm II KM522 $55.00 Time Remaining: 4h 36m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
![]() GERMANY 20 mark coin medal silver and cu gold or 24 carat $13.00 Time Remaining: 4h 44m |
![]() RARE Nazi German 1939D 2 REICHSMARK SILVER Coin Argent WWII D Day $14.38 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 40m |
![]() GERMANY 1 2 MARK UNKNOWN DATED SILVER COIN CIR $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9h 42m |
![]() GermanySilver Coin 10 MarkHeinrich Heine1997 PROOF $29.00 Time Remaining: 9h 56m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 |
Check out these fine shops that offer Germany Silver Coins products:
A great place to shop for Germany Silver Coins products is Amazon.
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2 Vintage Silverplated Souvenir Spoons - 1982 Limited Edition ARS Edition Hummel Spoons
Sale Price: $15.00 |
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Vintage Silverplated Souvenir Spoon in Gift Bag - Deutchland
Sale Price: $24.95 |
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German 5 Mark Silver Coin "Eagle" Two Tone Gold on Silver World Coin Hinged Money Clip
List Price: |
DescriptionThis coin is a little smaller than a U.S. half dollar. Total clip size is 1-1/8" x 2". Each one of these real coins from around the world is first layered in pure bright silver. Then, by hand, the figures of each are highlighted and brought to life with rich, pure 24KT gold... |
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German 5 Mark Silver "Eagle" Two Tone Cut Out Coin Belt Buckle
List Price: |
DescriptionThe coin is a little smaller than a U.S. half dollar. First, a small hole is drilled into the coin. Then, by hand, a very fine jeweler's saw blade is inserted through the hole and worked around the coin's design, cutting away the background, thus leaving the coin's figure floating inside its outer edge... |
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Sterling silver cufflinks with German coins |
DescriptionSterling silver cufflinks with swivel bar fitting featuring authentic german coins. Times change, and things change, and this is truly a wonderful way to keep a small piece of history safe. Gift boxed, and supplied with an authentication card giving some information on european coins |
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German Cross in Silver: Holders of the SS and Police
List Price: |
DescriptionAmong the most sought after and desired awards by collectors, the actual recipients of the German Cross in Silver have never been examined in detail. Now, for the first time, full biographical data and unpublished photo material is available for the SS and Police holders of this elusive award... |
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The Complete Encyclopedia of Antiques
Sale Price: $128.64 |
DescriptionCollectible 47 year-old Antique reference guide has 1472 pages of photos, descriptions, and history of all major areas of antiques through the ages. A wonderful resource with hundreds of pictures to aid the collector in understanding and acquiring knowledge of all facets of antiques... |
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Catalogue of German Coins Gold, silver and minor coins since 1800, with their valuations
List Price: |
DescriptionHere for the first time in the English language is a priced presentation of all the coins of the many German states that have been issued since 1800. The gold, silver and base metal coins of each kingdom, duchy, principality and city are listed chronologically with all the denominations of each issue together... |
Metal Detecting..Mrs D's first silver coin
Tagged with: coins • german silver coins • german silver coins old • germany • metal • nazi german silver coins • silver Filed under: Coins: World Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!







































