One of the most abused terms on eBay is the term "Sterling". In the United States and Britain the term only means silver of 92.5% purity, no more and no less ever. Some sellers have called 800 Continental silver "Sterling". It is not since it is only 80% pure. In fact, that mistake is called another name by the FTC; Consumer Fraud. In an effort to help I have listed the common hallmarks in order of decending purity. Where the hallmark is a number there is no picture (after all a number is a number) but when the purity is connoted by a hallmark without a number, there is a picture. Some hallmarks are seldom used for holloware or flatware and are not included here. So, without further ado . . .

980 - 98% pure. Mexican Silver. Used for tea strainers (and jewellry).

Britannia Silver - 95.84% pure. England only. It is connoted by the hallmark below.

.

950 - 95% pure. Rare. Continental silver, some Mexican silver.

"Minerva Silver", French Silver of 95% purity. Unusual but certainly not rare. Connoted only by the hallmark below.

STERLING 950 - 95% pure. Japan only (No wonder people get so confused!)

935 - 93.5% purity. Rare.

STERLING - 92.5% pure. USA.

STANDARD - 92.5% pure. USA.

925 - 92.5% pure, various countries.

Lion Passant - 92.5% pure, Sterling England. Pictured below.

Lion Rampant - 92.5% pure. Sterling Scotland. Drawing below. (Previously a Thistle mark was used in Edinburgh, the Lion in Glasgow)

Crowned Harp - 92.5% pure. Sterling Ireland. Drawing below.

900 - 90% Silver. Continent, Mexico.

COIN or COIN SILVER - 90% Silver. USA.

800 - 80% silver. Many places.

There are many others that are not common enough on eBay for inclusion in this page but may be researched at various sites on the web.

Though Americans, the British and French prefer Britannia, Minerva and Sterling, excellent pieces can be found in lesser purities and those pieces may be quite valuable. But they are not Sterling Silver, no matter what the seller says! And if the seller says they are . . . well, perhaps you should have a bit of a think before buying.

Great hunting!