Trusted with Texas estates since 1983
- 5,000+
- Estates sold
- 500,000+
- Lots
- $100M+
- Realized
What We Sell
Silver at Auction
Sterling and fine silver - from Georg Jensen's modernist designs to American makers like Gorham, Reed & Barton, and Towle, and French houses like Christofle - carry value well beyond melt for the right patterns and makers. Austin Auction Gallery sells and evaluates silver; browse the makers below to learn what yours may be worth.
What silver has sold for here
Top prices realized from 1,134 silver lots in our searchable archive, each cataloged by our specialists and sold at auction.
(123) GORHAM 'MELROSE' STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SERVICE, 149.5OZT
(147) INTERNATIONAL STERLING SILVER 'MINUET' FLATWARE SERVICE
(5) ENGLISH ELKINGTON & CO. STERLING SILVER TEA & COFFEE SERVICE
(117) REED & BARTON 'FRENCH RENAISSANCE' STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET, 138OZT
(123) TIFFANY & CO. 'HAMPTON' STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SERVICE
What silver is worth at auction
The factors below are listed most decisive first. A preliminary evaluation costs nothing — send photographs and our specialists will tell you where yours sits.
- Sterling or plate
- The first question, and the one that decides the order of magnitude. Sterling is .925 silver throughout and carries intrinsic value; silverplate is a thin layer over a base metal and is worth what its form and maker are worth, not its weight.
- Weight for holloware
- For bowls, trays, and tea services, gross weight sets a floor that moves with the silver market. Weighted pieces — most candlesticks — have a filled base that does not count.
- Maker and pattern
- Georg Jensen, Christofle, and the best American makers trade well above generic sterling. For flatware, the pattern decides everything, and discontinued sought-after patterns can carry a large premium.
- Completeness of a service
- A flatware service for twelve with serving pieces sells better than the same weight in odd lots. Keep sets together when you send them.
Frequently asked about silver
Is silverplate worth selling?
Often yes, though for its form rather than its metal. Good Victorian and Art Deco plated holloware, and anything by a strong maker, sells steadily in our auctions.
Does a monogram reduce value?
On flatware, modestly — many buyers do not mind, and period monograms are part of the object. On holloware it matters more. It is rarely worth removing; the polishing does more harm than the monogram.
Should I polish silver before sending it?
A light polish is fine. Avoid aggressive dips and abrasives, which strip the darkened detail that gives chased and repoussé work its depth, and never polish anything with an original patinated or oxidised finish.
Why consign silver with us?
Since 1983, Austin Auction Gallery has helped collectors bring silver to a nationwide audience—with free preliminary evaluations, expert cataloging, and proven results.