Featured Another close one, but no cigar

This one got my heart racing, but someone local beat me to it (to clarify, this wasn't a local listing for me, but someone in the area of the listing contacted the seller). The listing had been up for a few hours. Listing gave nothing away (the only thing that really caught my eye was the metal didn't look super thick at the mouth of the spout), one photo and the seller listed it as silver plate. To me, it looked quality (I really didn't have any idea based on the photo if it would have been plated). Upon inquiry, the seller let me know the only thing on the bottom was "STERLING 950"...Sadly someone had contacted them before me and already bought it, for less than $50....I'll say it 100 times, it's out there folks:

 

Where are these sites? Like local sales on...ebay? I am curious.
Thank you

 

I think i've given a lot of clues in past posts. I can't give away all my secrets!

 

Hmmmmm....I thought I was paying attention....I guess I didn't know where to look before you started giving clues so I must have never caught on.

 

A WISE ONE NEVER reveals his/her sources!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

1...the seller listed it as silver plate.

2....the seller let me know the only thing on the bottom was "STERLING 950"

3....someone had contacted them before me and already bought it, for less than $50..

OK, Mr.N8 , my turn for a game...
What's wrong with this picture...?

1...?
2...?
3....?

 

But sterling 950?

 

I’ve seen “Sterling 950” on Japanese pieces.

 

Haha, I think I like this game.
1 is wrong, because this set isn’t plated.
2 is right because 950 sterling is found in Japanese silver
3 is waaaay wrong because this set should cost over $1000!!!!

I get ahead of myself sometimes when posting. As soon as the seller told me 2, I went online, here’s a few similar sets:

https://caseantiques.com/item/lot-79-silver-tea-set-950-standard-4-pcs/

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/japanese-950-sterling-silver-4pc-tea-set-sun

https://picclick.co.uk/5-pc-Antique-Japanese-Sterling-950-Silver-Coffee-Tea-122821980908.html

 

sorry you missed out on this set Mr Nate, but you are good at hunting it down, I'm sure there will be more fabulous finds coming your way soon

 

I think MR.N is winding everyone up..... The reflection in the largest teapot is a woman with her breasts showing. Nice!!

 

On "lockdown" to long, are we ? lol

 

950 sterling. I’ve Learned something new!!! I love this place. Ty!

 

typo........

 

~Cheryl

 

since all those are above Sterling content..... is the word used identify silver.... fine silver...rather that just leaving the numbers on their own..????

 

In all my years in this business, I’ve never seen it marked as such. Wow, cool!

 

In all my years.... I've not seen half the stuff that goes on around here !!!

 

Most country's silver standards, including in the U.S., require 'sterling' must be at least .925 fineness, there's nothing really wrong about marking higher standard silver as sterling. In this case, believe the Japanese makers, who typically, after 1928, marked their wares with numeric fineness, sometimes accompanied by 'SILVER', were stamping 'STERLING' to cater to the large post-WWII American market, silver was even sold in post exchanges. There are almost always some anomalies in silver marks, but personally, can't recall running across any pieces marked as sterling that appeared to be pre-WWII (though many obviously later pieces are described as 'antique' or 'Meiji period') - all those marks posted here were found on clearly mid 20th century pieces...

~Cheryl

 

Thank you for that !!!!