Mexico Silver Box

No silver content mark. Wonder if it is solid or alpaca or other alloy?

 

Would think Alpaca or similar. Mexican silver would always be marked.

 

I think prior to 1948 the silver content marking was not regulated and a lot of pieces not marked.

 

The closest I could come to the mark is that of Miguel Melendez. His mark is described in Hougart's The Little Book of Mex Silver Trade & Hallmarks, p. 217, as "m, inside a "C". Nowww his mark is accompanied with an Eagle 1 or Eagle 3. Registration number: TM-18.

On page 117:
"Mark: m (lower case) within a "C" (the "m" curls around itself to form a "C". Eagle number: 1, 3. Registration number: TM-18."

The pictures of his mark are of a definite lower case script "m" while yours in an upper case "M." Very very doubtful yours has Melendez mark. Here is his mark online, top right:
http://www.925-1000.com/mexican_marks3.html#M

I totally agree with Brad on "Alpaca or similar."

--- Susan

 

get it tested...

 

This is not prior to 1948.

 

Looks more like mid to late 70's at the earliest.

 

I don't think it's even that old; the inlay in this was manufactured in a factory and added to the box later. I'd have said late 80s.