> Solid silver cutlery is bought back by fine silver weight (total weight × fineness × day's price), once the buyback rate is applied. Beware: many canteens *Source : https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/sell-solid-silver-cutlery/* --- ● Guide # Selling solid silver cutlery: value and advice Published on **16/07/2026** · By **Sébastien Joumel** In brief Solid silver cutlery is bought back by **fine silver weight** (total weight × fineness × day's price), once the buyback rate is applied. Beware: many canteens are silver-plated and are not bought at the silver price, and some handles are filled with resin. ## Recognising solid silver in your cutlery A solid silver piece of cutlery carries an official hallmark, most often the Minerva, engraved on the stem or on the back. The most common fineness is 950 or 800 thousandths. Conversely, a "silver plate" mention or a square hallmark signals plating: this cutlery, very common in table sets, has no value by silver weight. An important technical point concerns **knife handles**: they are frequently made of silver but "filled", meaning packed with resin, mastic or lead for balance. The displayed weight then does not match the real silver weight, and the dealer takes this into account in the valuation. ## How the value is estimated For a batch of solid silver cutlery, the valuation follows a weight-based logic: - Sorting by fineness (950, 800) from the hallmarks; - Weighing solid pieces (spoons, forks) separately from filled handles; - Calculating the fine silver weight = weight × fineness; - Applying the day's price then the buyback rate. Knives with filled handles are often valued separately, because only the silver shell counts, net of the filling. A serious dealer explains this distinction and weighs in front of you. The value of a set therefore rests mainly on its quantity of fine silver, not on the number of pieces. ## Selling at the best price Gather your cutlery by fineness, set aside the silver-plated pieces and flag the filled handles. Request several free, no-obligation valuations, and compare the net buyback rates for the same day's price. Any gap comes from the margin, never from the price itself, which is global and identical for everyone. As with any metal buyback, the dealer verifies your identity, keeps a register and pays by bank transfer or cheque above the legal limits. To go further, see [our ranking of silver buyback professionals](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/silver-buyback/) and our broader guide on [selling your silverware without mistakes](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/sell-silverware/). ## Frequently asked questions Why are silver knives valued separately? Because their handle is often filled with resin or lead for balance: only the silver shell has value. The dealer deducts the filling and values these pieces separately from solid cutlery. Is a complete canteen worth more by weight? The value by weight depends only on the quantity of fine silver, not on the number of pieces. However, a complete solid set in good condition can sometimes interest a buyer for resale, beyond the plain value by weight. ## Read also [ Guide Free silver valuation: what it is really worth ](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/free-silver-valuation/)[ Guide Selling a silver bar: channel, price, traceability ](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/sell-silver-bar/)[ Guide Selling silver: jeweller or buyback dealer? ](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/sell-silver-jeweller-or-dealer/) ## Sell at the best price near you Compare the silver buyers in your city. [See the rankings](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/silver-buyback/)