ElectroPlated Nickel Silver (E.P.N.S.) Coffee/Tea set

[capot1948]

I believe I understand now. This set doesn't have the actual shine of our other silver plated items due to the low amount of silver used in the process. Does that sound correct?

[bigwull]

Still following along the confused line, Electroplated materials are often stamped EPNS for electroplated nickel or silver, if it doesn't shine like silver plate as our other pieces do can it still be silver plate? I have got to spend less time on FaceBook and Twitter and start reading up on this or I guess or we'll be lost forever.

you,re confused....join the club....i,m always confused...on my headstone it will read...."Confusion is my Epitaph...or maybe Wheels of Confusion,...

[Ipcress]

Your base metal is Nickel Silver but it is electroplated with a thin layer of silver!

Maybe this article will help clarify
http://www.steptoesantiques.co.uk/acatalog/Identifying_Sterling_Sheffield_Plate_EPNS_Silver.html

Yes, nickel silver is misleading because there's no silver in it. It's just an alloy that is then plated with a thin layer of silver.

[capot1948]

Yes, if my wife wasn't with me when we go on a antique shop hunt I'd probably be driving in circles even with the cars GPS. I find I'm more confused since retiring, maybe it's because I sleep too much now. Anyway, is there anyway to find out the age of these pieces? I'm not concerned about what they're worth.

[fancypants]

Often times , electro-plated materials will wear away from the surface (from polishing,cleaning,environmental effects & etc.) they've been deposited upon & one will see the metal(s) under the plating ... these 'base metals' usually differ from the original platings' appearance , esp when polished-up .

Sometimes there will be other metals (besides the main one/ones an item is made from) electroplated on the surface of the original metal such as nickle , copper & brass , and then the surface of this metal-plating is electroplated with silver , gold , etc. as the 'finish' coating on the surface .
Heavy polishing on these items sometimes will reveal , over time , a multi-layered (& colored!) surface that can be rather unattractive .

Many folks who sell older EP wares avoid polishing them , as doing so would make many buyers go the other way .

You're not alone in hearing many 'things' about EP items , capot1948 !!!

[mart]

I think that's what has happened to this set !! Plated silver really should only be polished two or three times yearly !!  Just a wash and buff in between !!

[capot1948]

Thanks Mart, I'll make sure my wife knows that and keep that in mind if we get any more of this type.

Chris

[bigwull]

Your base metal is Nickel Silver but it is electroplated with a thin layer of silver!

Maybe this article will help clarify
http://www.steptoesantiques.co.uk/acatalog/Identifying_Sterling_Sheffield_Plate_EPNS_Silver.html

Yes, nickel silver is misleading because there's no silver in it. It's just an alloy that is then plated with a thin layer of silver.

that sounds a bit Chinese..."there,s no silver in it.....but its plated with a thin layer of .....Silver....oh, i,m confused again.....

[capot1948]

See, that's how I'm getting confused. I guess it to mean that there is no silver 'in' the alloy but the alloy is 'coated' with a thin layer of silver that will easily come off?

[bigwull]

See, that's how I'm getting confused. I guess it to mean that there is no silver 'in' the alloy but the alloy is 'coated' with a thin layer of silver that will easily come off?

eureka!!...you,ve hit the nail on the head....so to speak....who,s a clever boy then...no more confusion.....

[Ipcress]

See, that's how I'm getting confused. I guess it to mean that there is no silver 'in' the alloy but the alloy is 'coated' with a thin layer of silver that will easily come off?

Yes, even though in this instance the base metal alloy is known as nickel silver. It was given that name because of how it looks, not what it's made from.

Some silver plate looks more like silver but there's always the difference in how they reflect light

[capot1948]

Yep, I've got it now. I understand the ins and outs of E.P.N.S. now and I've let my wife know that all she needs to do is clean it periodically with her cleaning solution and just polish a couple of times a year.

Chris

[mart]

See, that's how I'm getting confused. I guess it to mean that there is no silver 'in' the alloy but the alloy is 'coated' with a thin layer of silver that will easily come off?

Now you got it !!  Thin surface layer over base metal !!