Whether you are a novice collector, dealer or enthusiast, this book has been designed to provide you with a practical source of reference, wherever your collecting takes you. It will help you to tell when, where, by whom, and with what quality of metal most silver items are made. It will enable you to identify a piece of silver, tell whether it is English, American or Continental and, if you have ever wondered what 'sterling' silver actually means, or what a crowned harp or the figure of Britannia signify, the answers are in this book. A full introduction explains how to read and understand hallmarks, how to distinguish between silver, plate, and electroplate, how to spot fakes, plus tips on buying and caring for silver.