What to do with old sterling?

I have a box of old sterling spoons and forks, and I wondered if anyone had some ideas on how to get rid of it.
I've been able to identify the pattern, but a web search doesn't show that anyone is interested in buying this pattern.

It should have a melt value of several hundred dollars, but I understand that the local shops which buy silver will pay only a fraction of the real value.

Does anyone know of any particular businesses or websites that I should check with, either to sell as tableware or for meltdown?
The plated ones can go to the Goodwill, of course, but there is about a pound of silver in the ones that are .925, I think; (I did find an online computation tool that provided an estimate of the amount of actual silver in such items).

 

Ebay is the best bet for getting the dollar amount closest to melt value. Beware though, silver scrappers are a picky bunch. I usually include photo of the items on a scale, list every item with said mark. Also, I include the same photo with receipt in the package sent. At first I didn't understand why scrabbers buy on such a small margin. Until I realized, ebay bucks and cc cash back saves up to 3% and many do small repairs and resell.

Lastly, there is a market for scrap silverplate! Crafters love the stuff and buy it by the pound.

 

I hadn't thought of that, good idea!

 

OR....if'n yer gonna give away the plated items, there's a bunch of folks here who might like them enough to pay for the shipping.....
Try the give away forum....

 

Forgive the silver maven for asking... what pattern?

 

I did sell some to Midwest Refineries awhile back and it was pretty easy. They do have a website if you want to check.

 

I was going to mention the Give Aways forum, too... but not in such folksy language.

 

Great minds.......yadda yadda....!

Sometimes my tongue wanders, & because this typing is so static & stale , my tongue gets the better of my finger !

So ya, if I ain't gonna post in none o' them fancy colors, ma words kin show off ma mood better'n some clickity clack mood chooser.
That danged thang is never rat..!

 

Silver is near its five year low

WAIT

 

Even the silverplate flatware can bring in money. Like R&B,Gorham,etc. I have sold plated pieces like tiger lily forks for 50.00 for I think a set of 6?, 100 bucks for 10 plated tablespoons from France,10 forks for 80-,8 plated cocktail forks for 30-,and so on and the sterling pieces for way more.
Folks out in cyberland need replacements for their sets. These sales were over a year ago but you never know?

PS

If the sterling pieces are in great shape, the aesthetic value can be more than the melt. Once its melted,its gone forever

 

Here is a metal price converter.

http://www.silverrecyclers.com/Calculators/Calc_Main/calculator_instructions.html

http://www.silverrecyclers.com/Calculators/ster_calculator.aspx

Also spot silver/gold
http://www.kitco.com/market/

 

Hey Terry,
When do you foresee silver going up a bit? Sounds like you might follow the markets pretty regularly

 

Well, that shouldn't be too far away then.

 

I think the next move up in metals is when the irrationally exuberant stock market finally corrects

 

The latest rumor I heard was a complete economic meltdown on June 21 this year. So mark your calendars!

 

Who's saying that, freerepublic?

 

The bank of canada just lowered their prime rate to .75%....
caught every ecomomist off guard.
So....our dollar is going to sink further into the abyss !

Time for you Brits & Yanks to come on over here and tourist around.
Spring in Vancouver is lovely.
Summer in Montreal kicks ass.
Fall in the Atlantic Provences is a treat.

& your currency will go further than the swallows of Capistrano !!

 

Always wanted to go to Vancouver.