Silver has been used for centuries in jewellery, tableware, coins, decorative arts, and investment bullion. From sterling silver and Britannia silver to continental standards, Scandinavian design, and historic coinage, silver has a rich and fascinating history.

But how much do you really know about silver?

Can you identify a Lion Passant hallmark? Do you know the difference between 800, 830, 835, and 925 silver? Could you recognise a piece by Georg Jensen or Charles Horner? Do you know when Britain stopped using silver in circulating coinage?

Whether you are a collector, antique dealer, reseller, coin enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys learning about precious metals, this quiz will test your knowledge and perhaps teach you a few new things along the way.

How to Take the Quiz

• There are 50 multiple-choice questions.
• Questions become progressively more difficult.
• Keep track of your score as you go.
• Check your results at the end to see where you rank.

Good luck.

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Questions 1–10: Basic Silver Knowledge

1. What does the hallmark 925 indicate?

A) 92.5% silver content
B) 95% silver content
C) Silver plate
D) Pure silver

2. What is Sterling Silver?

A) 80% silver
B) 92.5% silver
C) 95% silver
D) 99.9% silver

3. What does 800 silver indicate?

A) 80% silver content
B) 92.5% silver content
C) Silver plate
D) Pure silver

4. What does 835 silver indicate?

A) 83.5% silver content
B) 92.5% silver content
C) Silver plate
D) Pure silver

5. What does 830 silver indicate?

A) 83% silver content
B) 92.5% silver content
C) Silver plate
D) Pure silver

6. What does 950 silver indicate?

A) 95% silver content
B) 92.5% silver content
C) 80% silver content
D) Pure silver

7. Which is purer?

A) Sterling Silver
B) Britannia Silver

8. What is the Britannia silver standard?

A) 800
B) 835
C) 925
D) 958

9. Is silver magnetic?

A) Yes
B) No

10. What colour reaction is commonly associated with sterling silver during acid testing?

A) Bright blue
B) Creamy red
C) Black
D) Green

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Questions 11–20: Hallmarks & Assay Offices

11. What does the Lion Passant indicate?

A) Sterling Silver
B) Silver Plate
C) Britannia Silver
D) Gold

12. Which assay office uses the Anchor symbol?

A) London
B) Sheffield
C) Birmingham
D) Edinburgh

13. Which assay office uses the Leopard’s Head?

A) London
B) Birmingham
C) Sheffield
D) Chester

14. Which assay office uses the Yorkshire Rose?

A) Birmingham
B) Sheffield
C) London
D) Edinburgh

15. What does the Britannia mark indicate?

A) Silver Plate
B) Britannia Standard Silver
C) Coin Silver
D) Sterling Silver

16. What is a Sponsor’s Mark?

A) Purity mark
B) Assay office mark
C) Maker’s mark
D) Date letter

17. What is a Date Letter?

A) Purity mark
B) A mark used to identify the year of assay
C) Maker’s mark
D) Import mark

18. In what year was compulsory hallmarking introduced in England?

A) 1300
B) 1450
C) 1700
D) 1800

19. Which king introduced compulsory hallmarking?

A) Henry VIII
B) Edward I
C) Charles I
D) George III

20. Which historic assay office closed in 1962?

A) Birmingham
B) London
C) Chester
D) Sheffield

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Questions 21–30: Continental & Scandinavian Silver

21. What historic hallmark symbols commonly accompany German 800 silver?

A) Crown and Crescent Moon
B) Lion and Anchor
C) Thistle and Castle
D) Harp and Crown

22. What does 830S commonly indicate?

A) Scandinavian silver
B) Silver plate
C) Coin silver
D) Britannia silver

23. Which country commonly used the 830 silver standard?

A) Norway
B) Spain
C) France
D) England

24. Which country is historically most associated with the 835 silver standard?

A) Scotland
B) The Netherlands
C) Spain
D) England

25. Which country commonly used the 800 silver standard?

A) Germany
B) England
C) Norway
D) Ireland

26. What does 875 silver indicate?

A) 87.5% silver
B) 92.5% silver
C) 95% silver
D) Pure silver

27. Who founded Georg Jensen?

A) A silversmith
B) A coin dealer
C) A king
D) A jeweller retailer

28. In which country was Georg Jensen based?

A) Sweden
B) Norway
C) Denmark
D) Finland

29. Georg Jensen is best known for producing:

A) Watches
B) Silver and decorative arts
C) Coins
D) Ceramics

30. Which Scandinavian country is most associated with Georg Jensen silver?

A) Norway
B) Denmark
C) Sweden
D) Iceland

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Questions 31–40: Coins & Dealer Knowledge

31. What percentage silver was used in British coinage before 1920?

A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 92.5%
D) 99%

32. What percentage silver was used in British coinage from 1920 to 1946?

A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 92.5%
D) 80%

33. From what year onward did Britain completely stop using silver in regular circulating coinage?

A) 1920
B) 1947
C) 1967
D) 1971

34. Which British coin contained silver before 1947?

A) Penny
B) Florin
C) Half Penny
D) Farthing

35. What is Coin Silver?

A) Pure silver
B) Silver made from melted coins
C) Silver plate
D) Britannia silver

36. What silver standard was commonly used in American Coin Silver?

A) 800
B) 835
C) 900
D) 925

37. What does EPNS stand for?

A) Electro Plated Nickel Silver
B) European Pure Nickel Silver
C) Electro Pure Nickel Sterling
D) English Plate Nickel Silver

38. Is EPNS solid silver?

A) Yes
B) No

39. What does “Silver on Copper” usually indicate?

A) Solid silver
B) Silver plate over copper
C) Coin silver
D) Sterling silver

40. What is often the quickest first test dealers use when checking for silver plate?

A) Acid test
B) Hallmark inspection
C) XRF machine
D) Melting test

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Questions 41–50: Expert Silver Knowledge

41. Who was Charles Horner?

A) A famous British silversmith
B) A coin engraver
C) A king
D) An assay master

42. What is Charles Horner best known for?

A) Silver tea sets
B) Silver hatpins
C) Silver coins
D) Silver medals

43. What is the fineness of Britannia Silver?

A) 925
B) 950
C) 958
D) 999

44. Which came first?

A) Britannia Standard
B) Sterling Standard

45. In what year was Britannia Silver introduced?

A) 1697
B) 1750
C) 1800
D) 1900

46. Why was the Britannia Silver standard introduced in 1697?

A) To prevent the melting down of circulating silver coinage
B) To make silverware more durable
C) To lower production costs
D) To encourage trade with France

47. Which Scandinavian designer is considered one of the most famous silver makers in history?

A) Georg Jensen
B) Liberty
C) Fabergé
D) Elkington

48. What does the Tre Kronor mark indicate?

A) Danish silver
B) Norwegian silver
C) Swedish silver
D) British silver

49. Which silver standard is commonly associated with Denmark?

A) 800
B) 830
C) 925
D) 950

50. Which precious metal is generally more valuable per gram today?

A) Silver
B) Gold

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Answer Key

1-A, 2-B, 3-A, 4-A, 5-A, 6-A, 7-B, 8-D, 9-B, 10-B

11-A, 12-C, 13-A, 14-B, 15-B, 16-C, 17-B, 18-A, 19-B, 20-C

21-A, 22-A, 23-A, 24-B, 25-A, 26-A, 27-A, 28-C, 29-B, 30-B

31-C, 32-A, 33-B, 34-B, 35-B, 36-C, 37-A, 38-B, 39-B, 40-B

41-A, 42-B, 43-C, 44-B, 45-A, 46-A, 47-A, 48-C, 49-B, 50-B

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Silver Quiz Results

0–10 Correct: Silver Beginner

You are just starting your journey into the fascinating world of silver.

11–20 Correct: Silver Enthusiast

You understand many of the fundamentals of silver identification and hallmarking.

21–30 Correct: Silver Collector

You have a strong grasp of silver standards, hallmarks, and collecting knowledge.

31–40 Correct: Silver Dealer

Your knowledge is approaching professional level and would serve you well in the antiques trade.

41–49 Correct: Silver Expert

You possess an impressive understanding of silver, hallmarks, makers, and coinage history.

50/50 Correct: Silver Master

Outstanding. Achieving a perfect score places you among the most knowledgeable silver collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts.

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Why Silver Knowledge Matters

Silver is one of the most commonly encountered precious metals in the antiques trade. From Georgian silver and Victorian tableware to Scandinavian design, coinage, jewellery, and decorative arts, silver appears in countless forms.

Understanding hallmarks, purity standards, makers, and testing methods can help collectors and dealers avoid expensive mistakes while identifying valuable opportunities. Knowing the difference between sterling silver, Britannia silver, continental silver, and silver plate can dramatically affect value.

For antique dealers, collectors, and resellers, silver knowledge often translates directly into confidence and profit.

Further Reading

If you enjoyed this quiz and would like to deepen your understanding of Gold,  silver, hallmarks, coins, and precious metal identification, explore the articles below. These guides will help you avoid costly mistakes, identify valuable items, and build your knowledge as a collector, dealer, or reseller.

Understanding Metals in the Antique Trade: Identification & Value

A comprehensive guide covering gold, silver, copper, brass, pewter, nickel, EPNS, platinum, and many other metals commonly encountered in the antiques and collectibles trade.

https://antiquesarena.com/understanding-metals-in-the-antique-trade-identification-value/

How to Identify if a Gold Sovereign Is Real

Learn how to authenticate one of the world’s most collected gold coins using weight, dimensions, hallmarks, and visual inspection.

https://antiquesarena.com/how-to-identify-if-a-gold-sovereign-is-real/

Coin Guide: Buying and Selling Coins

A practical guide to buying and selling coins, understanding condition, avoiding common mistakes, and spotting opportunities.

https://antiquesarena.com/buying-and-selling-coins-guide/

Coin Guide: Understanding Coin Flips and Coin Storage

Discover how proper storage can protect a coin collection and why handling and presentation matter.

https://antiquesarena.com/coin-guide-buying-and-selling-coins-coin-flip/

Testing Sterling Silver Using Acid

A step-by-step guide to one of the most common methods used by dealers and collectors to verify sterling silver.

https://antiquesarena.com/testing-sterling-silver-using-acid/

Precious Metals, Hallmarks, and Trade Knowledge

Continue expanding your knowledge of precious metals, hallmarks, and identification techniques with our complete metals reference guide.

https://antiquesarena.com/understanding-metals-in-the-antique-trade-identification-value/

STOP ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO BE WEALTHY

Most people treat this trade like a hobby, and it pays them like a hobby. If you are tired of watching your hard-earned savings decay in a bank account and want to learn the art of tangible wealth, join us.

At the Antiques Arena Media Academy, we do not do “theory” or digital IOUs. I show you exactly how to source, identify, and own physical assets that the taxman and the banks cannot touch.

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Written by Walter O’Neill

Walter O’Neill is the founder of AntiquesArena.com, a specialist antiques and collectibles website dedicated to identifying, valuing, and understanding antiques from around the world. With decades of hands-on experience buying, selling, and researching antiques, Walter shares practical knowledge drawn from real-world expertise rather than theory alone. His articles are written to help collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and better appreciate the history behind the objects they own.

Frequently Asked Questions About Silver

What does 925 mean on silver?

A 925 hallmark means the item contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This standard is known as sterling silver and is the most common silver standard used in British jewellery, tableware, and decorative items.

What is sterling silver?

Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. The addition of other metals makes sterling silver stronger and more durable than pure silver, which is too soft for most everyday use.

What does the Lion Passant hallmark mean?

The Lion Passant is the traditional British hallmark used to indicate sterling silver. If you see a Lion Passant on a British silver item, it confirms the piece meets the sterling silver standard of 92.5% purity.

What does 800 silver mean?

An 800 silver mark means the item contains 80% pure silver. This standard is commonly found on continental European silver, particularly German silver, and is frequently encountered by antique dealers and collectors.

What does 830 silver mean?

An 830 silver mark indicates the item contains 83% pure silver. This standard is often associated with Scandinavian silver, particularly pieces produced in Norway and Denmark during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

What does 835 silver mean?

An 835 silver mark means the item contains 83.5% pure silver. This silver standard is commonly found on Dutch and some continental European silver items and is regularly encountered in antique markets and auctions.

How can you tell if silver is real?

You can identify real silver by checking hallmarks, testing with silver acid, examining wear patterns, checking for magnetism, and verifying weight. British silver will often carry hallmarks such as the Lion Passant, assay office marks, and maker’s marks.

Does real silver stick to a magnet?

Real silver is not magnetic. If an item strongly attracts a magnet, it is unlikely to be solid silver. However, magnet testing should only be used as an initial indicator because some silver items may contain non-silver components such as springs or fittings.

What does EPNS mean?

EPNS stands for Electro Plated Nickel Silver. Despite the name, EPNS is not solid silver. It consists of a base metal covered with a thin layer of silver through an electroplating process.

Is EPNS worth anything?

EPNS has value as a collectible or decorative item, but it does not contain enough silver to have significant scrap silver value. The worth of EPNS usually depends on age, condition, maker, design, and demand rather than silver content.

What is Britannia silver?

Britannia silver is a higher silver standard than sterling silver. It contains 95.8% pure silver and is marked with a Britannia figure. Britannia silver was introduced in 1697 and remains an official British silver standard today.

Which is better, sterling silver or Britannia silver?

Britannia silver contains more silver than sterling silver because it is 95.8% pure compared to sterling’s 92.5%. However, sterling silver is harder and more durable, making it more practical for many everyday items.

When did Britain stop using silver in coins?

Britain stopped using silver in regular circulating coinage from 1947 onwards. Coins produced before 1920 contained 92.5% silver, while coins struck between 1920 and 1946 contained 50% silver.

What is coin silver?

Coin silver is silver that was historically made from melted silver coins. In the United States, coin silver commonly had a purity of around 90% silver and was widely used before sterling silver became the dominant standard.

Who was Georg Jensen?

Georg Jensen was a Danish silversmith and designer who founded the Georg Jensen company in 1904. He is considered one of the most important names in Scandinavian silver and is highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

Who was Charles Horner?

Charles Horner was a British silversmith best known for producing silver hatpins, jewellery, and Art Nouveau designs during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. His work is highly collected today.

What is the most valuable silver hallmark?

The most valuable silver hallmark depends on the item’s maker, age, rarity, and condition. Hallmarks from famous makers such as Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, Georg Jensen, and Charles Horner can significantly increase value.

What silver should antique dealers look for?

Antique dealers should look for sterling silver, Britannia silver, Scandinavian silver, continental silver marked 800, 830, or 835, and pieces by well-known makers. Understanding hallmarks and silver standards can help identify valuable items before they are overlooked.