Precio de Plata 800 Hoy European Silver — Live Melt Value Per Gram & Ounce
800 silver is the dominant purity standard for antique European silverware — used across Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and much of Continental Europe from the 18th century through the mid-20th century. This page shows the live melt value per gram and per ounce, updated hourly, plus a complete guide to European silver hallmarks so you know exactly what you're holding before you sell.
What Is 800 Silver? — Continental European Silver Explained
800 silver is an alloy containing 80% pure silver and 20% other metals (predominantly copper), stamped with the number "800" to indicate 800 parts silver per 1,000. It was the legally mandated standard for silverware across most of Continental Europe — particularly Germany, Austria, Italy, and France — from the late 18th century until the adoption of European harmonized standards in the mid-20th century. Today, 800 silver pieces circulate primarily as antique or vintage items in estate sales, auction houses, and secondhand markets throughout North America and Europe.
Compared to British and American 925 sterling silver, 800 silver contains about 8% less pure silver per gram. However, this lower purity was intentional — the higher copper content (20% vs 7.5%) made Continental European silverware harder and more durable, particularly suited for the large, heavy flatware services that were fashionable in European households from the 1800s through the 1940s. Many of these pieces are now highly sought by antique collectors, and their artistic and historical value often exceeds their silver melt value significantly.
800 Silver Melt Value Calculator
Enter the weight of your 800 silver items and select the unit of measurement. The calculator applies 80% purity to the live spot price to give you the melt value. European flatware is often heavy — a single serving piece can weigh 150–400 grams.
Enter Weight
Quick Reference — 800 Silver Values
| Weight | Melt Value | Scrap (78%) |
|---|---|---|
| 50g (light fork) | $— | $— |
| 100g (serving spoon) | $— | $— |
| 250g (small tray) | $— | $— |
| 500g (service piece) | $— | $— |
| 1kg (flatware set) | $— | $— |
| 2kg (large silver service) | $— | $— |
* Scrap rate = 78% — typical for European silver due to refining complexity. Online buyers often pay slightly more.
European 800 Silver Hallmarks — Country-by-Country Guide
Identifying where your 800 silver came from helps you understand its age, quality, and potential collector value. Each country developed its own system of assay marks, maker's marks, and date letters — here's what to look for from the four major 800 silver producing nations.
Germany — 800 Silber
Germany is the single largest source of 800 silver items in the global market. German silver was regulated from 1884 onwards, with all pieces required to carry a standardized purity mark alongside the maker's cartouche. German 800 silver pieces are typically heavy, well-made, and often feature elaborate engraving and applied decoration in the Historicism and Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) styles.
- →"800 Silber" — full text stamp, pre-1888 common
- →Crescent + Crown — official German assay mark from 1888
- →City marks — Berlin, Hamburg, Augsburg, Hanau cartouches
- →WMF, Koch & Bergfeld — top makers with collector value
Austria — 800 with Eagle Head
Austrian 800 silver was regulated by the Habsburg imperial assay system, one of the most rigorous in Europe. Austrian silver items often carry multiple punches: a purity number, an eagle head or Roman numerals identifying the assay office, and a maker's mark in a shaped cartouche. Viennese silver workshops produced exceptional quality pieces, many of which are avidly collected today.
- →"800" or "800er" purity stamp
- →Eagle head — standard Austrian assay mark post-1866
- →Roman numerals (I–XIII) — indicate assay office city
- →Viennese pieces (I) — most desirable, Art Nouveau era
Italy & France — Star and Minerva Marks
Italian and French 800 silver use distinct national systems. Italian marks use a star system — one to four stars plus the "800" number — with maker cartouches often shaped as a diamond or rectangle. French 800 silver carries the Minerva head mark (a classical profile facing left), which replaced earlier owl and letter systems in 1838. French pieces from the 19th century are particularly prized.
- ITItaly: Star mark + "800" + provincial assay letter
- ITMaker cartouche in diamond shape standard from 1934
- FRFrance: Minerva head (left-facing) + "800" purity
- FRChristofle pieces: highly sought, major collector premium
800 European Silver vs 925 Sterling Silver — Key Differences
If you're unsure whether your silver is European 800 or British/American 925 sterling, this comparison covers the most important distinctions. The difference in purity directly affects melt value — understanding both helps you price and sell correctly.
Where to Sell 800 Silver — Scrap, Antiques, and Beyond
The best place to sell 800 silver depends on what you have. Common, undecorated flatware is best sold as scrap. Decorated, signed, or historically significant pieces can fetch multiples of melt value through the right channels.
Online Precious Metals Buyers
Mail-in silver scrap programs and online precious metals buyers accept European 800 silver and typically pay 75–85% of melt value. These buyers process 800 silver regularly and understand its refining needs. For large lots of undecorated flatware, this is usually the fastest and most straightforward option.
- ✓Best payout for plain, unmarked flatware lots
- ✓Free insured shipping kits available
- ✓Payment by check or bank transfer in 3–5 days
Antique Dealers & Auction Houses
European silver with maker's marks from named workshops, Art Nouveau decoration, or historical provenance belongs at auction or with a specialist antique silver dealer. Heritage Auctions, Sotheby's, and specialist European silver dealers can achieve 3–20× melt value for exceptional pieces. Research any significant maker's mark before selling to a scrap buyer.
- ✓Access to international collector market
- ✓Free appraisals at major auction houses
- ✓WMF, Bruckmann, Christofle fetch strong premiums
Local Coin & Silver Dealers
Local precious metals dealers and estate jewelers accept 800 European silver regularly, especially in areas with large immigrant communities from Germany, Italy, or Austria. Expect 65–80% of melt value for common flatware. A dealer with European silver expertise may offer higher amounts, and they can quickly identify if any pieces deserve the auction route instead.
- ✓Same-day cash, no shipping risk
- ✓Can assess pieces for collector value on the spot
- →Get multiple quotes before accepting any offer
Get the complete guide on selling silver — including where to get the best price for European silverware
How to Sell Silver — Complete Guide →Can't Read the Hallmark on Your European Silver?
Our hallmarks guide covers German, Austrian, Italian, French, and over 20 other national systems — so you can identify your silver's origin, age, and maker before you sell.
Frequently Asked Questions — 800 European Silver
Common questions from people dealing with inherited European silverware, estate sales, and antique silver purchases.
What is the price of 800 silver per gram today?
The price of 800 silver per gram is: (spot price per troy ounce × 0.80) ÷ 31.1035. At a spot price of $28/oz, that equals approximately $0.720 per gram. The live calculated price appears at the top of this page and updates every hour.
What does 800 mean on silver?
800 on silver means the piece contains 80% pure silver and 20% other metals (mainly copper) — 800 parts silver per 1,000. This was the legally mandated Continental European standard for silverware, adopted across Germany, Austria, Italy, and France from the late 18th century. It is lower than British 925 sterling but was the dominant European standard for flatware and household silver.
Is 800 silver worth buying or selling?
800 silver has real and calculable melt value. At 80% purity, a 500-gram European flatware lot contains 400 grams of pure silver — substantial at any silver price. However, the most important question for 800 silver is whether your pieces have antique value above melt. Named European silversmith pieces can be worth 3–20× their silver content, so always research maker's marks before selling as scrap.
How do I identify 800 silver hallmarks?
Look for the number "800" stamped into the silver alongside a country-specific assay mark. German 800 silver carries a crescent moon + crown from 1888. Austrian pieces show an eagle head or Roman numerals. Italian 800 silver uses a star system. French 800 silver has the Minerva head mark (left-facing classical profile). A maker's cartouche usually accompanies the purity and assay marks.
Can I sell 800 silver to any coin dealer?
Most coin dealers, precious metals buyers, and estate jewelers accept 800 European silver without issue. The 800 purity is straightforward to verify with an acid test or XRF scanner. You may find better rates at dealers who specialize in European antiques or those located in communities with German, Italian, or Austrian heritage, as they process these pieces more frequently and have established refinery relationships.
Why does European silver use 800 instead of 925 sterling?
Britain mandated 925 sterling for domestically produced silver since 1300. Continental Europe developed its own standards independently. The 800 standard offered a practical compromise: at 80% silver, the alloy is significantly harder than 925 sterling (20% copper vs 7.5%), making it better suited for the heavy flatware service pieces popular in European noble and bourgeois households. Different guild traditions, national regulations, and craft requirements produced this divergence from the British standard.
Do antique European silverware pieces have value beyond melt?
Frequently yes — often significantly so. German WMF and Bruckmann Art Nouveau pieces, French Christofle silver, and Viennese workshop pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are actively collected. A 250g WMF serving piece worth $18 at melt might sell for $80–$400 at auction depending on the pattern and condition. Always search for maker's marks in specialized databases (e.g., Shiny Collector, Silvercollection.it) before selling to a scrap buyer.