Featured One from the pond, one from the ocean

Makes sense, thanks. How about on the other end, when you buy them? Same questions as above.

 

The buying side is a little "murkier".... I'll do my best to describe my philosophy on how much to spend when making purchases.

In general, I consider this a great sport searching for silver, a wonderful hobby that I enjoy tremendously. It turns out that most hobbies actually cost us money to participate in, this is one of the few hobbies I've ever had that can actually make me money in the process. So my interest in the sport doesn't come from the money I make, it comes from the hunt and the value that items hold. I certainly appreciate making money, but it's more satisfying to simply find something that has value.

So...my philosophy on how much to spend. I run a small business buying and selling stuff, and I keep track of all my profits and expenses, I do the same thing with silver. As an aggregate, I want my silver hunting to be profitable, so as an aggregate I track that I accomplish that goal. When I'm looking at specific items, I'm trying to be profitable (or atleast at market value) but that's not always possible. Here's a few reasons why:

1. To find some of the big things I've found, I have to dedicate some $$ to speculation. I have to be wrong sometimes. I do my best to limit the losses and make low risk speculation. Here's an example that happened yesterday. Online someone listed four sets of plated flatware for $50 total. They told me time and time again that everything in the sets are plated, but I could see in the photographs it was a "hodge podge" of flatware, worth a gamble to me. So I buy four sets, pay $50 and sift through everything. I managed to find two sterling pieces and one coin silver piece in the mix. Not worth $50 for sure, but I can part out and sell the plated stuff and maybe break even. So the price wasn't too high, there's other things that I can resell, and I get some silver.

It's much easier to decide to buy in a store because I know exactly what I'm getting. I have a good sense of how much silver a weighted item will produce, and if I find the solid sterling items I'm only buying it at a bargain (thrift stores tend to overcharge if they know it's real silver).

So for me it's not about the money, but the money does matter because I'm not made of it. I try to make smart decisions that allow me to continue to hunt and collect.

 

It took awhile, but they've been brought back to beauty:

 

Now that's a nice set. Can you sell it for more than spot, I hope? The 80s are back after all.

 

Very nice job, Nate! While that set isn't MY style, it is eye-catching, and I can imagine that it will sell (well!) without too much trouble.

Once again, well done!

 

I hope so, atleast a bit more than spot I’m hoping.

 

wow, that set looks fabulous all polished up, well done Mr Nate! I enjoy reading your posts, your love of the hunt comes through in your words

gotta love that

 

$150. on the Faraone clock.....

 

AND, you did an AMAZING cleanup job on that Sterling set!!!!! HA!! I think I like it better than my Gorham Chantilly!!!!!!!

 

That set is gorgeous. Silver is NOT my field, my sister specializes in that, but I live vicariously through your posts. I have found some silver dressers sets recently, but forget ever finding anything in our cutthroat thrifts and estate sales here. They go over everything three times with a fine-toothed comb.

 

I found a wallace engraved porringer Richard... looks like from 1880 to 1900 silver need help!

 

Please start a new post in the silver forum. Include photos of your piece all over including any marks and the bottom. Take your pictures with you phone and email them to yourself as size medium. Be sure to click full image at the top of your photos

 

Fantastic explanation. Wonderful insight and experience. Thank you so much