Sell Silver in Tampa Bay — Top Cash Offers

Sterling vs. Silver-Plated — A Critical Distinction

The single most important thing to understand before selling silver is the difference between solid sterling silver and silver-plated items. Sterling silver (.925) contains 92.5% pure silver throughout the entire piece — and is highly valuable. Silver-plated items have only a thin surface coating of silver over a base metal (usually copper, zinc, or nickel) — and have little to no precious metal value. The easiest way to tell: look for hallmarks. Sterling silver will be marked "925," "Sterling," or "STER." Plated items may say "EPNS" (electroplated nickel silver), "Silver Plate," or simply have no precious metal marking. We test everything with XRF technology and will always tell you honestly what you have.

How Much Is Silver Worth in Tampa Today?

Silver prices in 2025–2026 are elevated compared to the prior decade, hovering around $30–$35 per troy ounce. One troy ounce equals 31.1 grams. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure, so 31.1g of sterling contains approximately 28.8g of pure silver. At $32/troy oz, that's approximately $1.03/gram of sterling silver. A large sterling silver flatware set weighing 800 grams might contain $820 worth of silver at melt value — and we pay up to 90% of that, or approximately $740.

Use our free calculator to estimate your silver's value, then call us at (813) 400-6668 for a precise offer after testing.

Gorham, Tiffany, Reed & Barton — Does the Brand Matter for Silver?

For most sterling silver flatware and hollowware, brand adds modest premiums — but the weight-based melt value is usually the primary driver. A Gorham sterling set may command 5–15% more than a generic sterling set of the same weight. However, certain brands and patterns command significant collector premiums. Tiffany & Co. sterling flatware, for example, retains substantial brand value. Vintage Georg Jensen pieces with distinctive artisan designs can be worth multiples of melt value to collectors. We evaluate both the melt value and the collector/resale value for every item and offer whichever is higher.

Silver Coins vs. Silver Jewelry vs. Silver Flatware — What Pays the Most Per Ounce?

All three categories are valued by silver content, but there are nuances. Bullion coins (.999 fine silver like American Silver Eagles) pay the closest to spot price because they're pure and liquid. Pre-1965 US coins (.900 silver) are slightly below spot. Sterling flatware and jewelry (.925) pays slightly below the bullion rate. However, for large-weight items like a heavy tea service or a full flatware set, the absolute dollar amount can be substantial. We buy all three categories and apply the appropriate rate for each.