Evening everyone.
Complete uneducated novice here as I am sure you will quickly ascertain!
I have been left this napkin ring (I think it is) from my parents’ house. I can see the hallmarks so I think it is silver.
From my own research, I think I have narrowed it down to Arthur Johnson Smith of Birmingham. I would be very grateful if anyone could confirm this and perhaps supply a date for it?
Apologies also if this is not appropriate (please ignore also) but any advice as to where I could seek a valuation would also be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
Colin
My nomination for the date would be 1927:
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Dates/Birmingham/Date%20Letters%20C.html
ETA: I agree with Arthur Johnson Smith, too.
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-AI-AO.html#AJ
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And break out the silver polish! Silver should be shiny, and sterling will always come back with a little patience and effort. “Patina” is just oxidation (the silver version of rust), and there’s nothing “original” about it.
As far as value, first step is to weigh it. Then check its melt value, i.e., what someone would pay for the raw silver. Plenty of sites to do that, like this one:
Purity is .925, sterling.
What’s it worth beyond that? Depends upon whether a collector would be interested. For silver that isn’t truly antique, hasn’t been made by a very famous silversmith, and isn’t particularly showy, selling it for appreciably more than the melt value would be a tough slog.
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I am wondering if the date letter is “o” for 1913. A picture of the cleaned-up hallmark should settle the question.
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Yes, I could be talked into that - pretty heavily rubbed. Better alignment with the known dates for the maker, too.
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