835 Silver
Also: 835/1000, Silver 835, German Cutlery Silver
835 silver is a silver alloy with a fineness of 835 parts per thousand (83.5%), particularly characteristic of Germany and Central Europe for cutlery and jewellery of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
835 silver refers to a silver alloy with a fineness of 835 parts per thousand – of every 1,000 parts by weight, 835 are pure silver and 165 parts are alloying metal, predominantly copper. This standard was the most widespread alloy for silverware, cutlery and fine jewellery in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Scandinavia from the late 19th century well into the 20th century. Anyone valuing or wishing to purchase old silver pieces from family estates will encounter 835 items particularly often.
Composition and Properties
The 16.5 % copper gives the alloy considerably greater hardness and abrasion resistance than fine silver (999 ‰), which makes it practical for everyday cutlery. Pure silver is too soft to withstand the edges of spoons and tines of forks durably. Copper also increases the fluidity of the melt and makes casting and stamping easier.
One drawback of the copper content: the alloy tarnishes more readily than sterling or fine silver (tarnishing), as copper sulphides form on the surface more quickly. Regular polishing or storage in an airtight environment prevents this.
Fineness Comparison
| Description | Fineness | Silver Content | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine silver | 999 ‰ | 99.9 % | Bars, bullion coins |
| Britannia silver | 958 ‰ | 95.8 % | British bullion coins |
| Sterling silver | 925 ‰ | 92.5 % | Jewellery, British cutlery |
| 835 silver | 835 ‰ | 83.5 % | German/European cutlery, jewellery |
| 800 silver | 800 ‰ | 80.0 % | Southern European cutlery, coins |
Hallmarks and Identification Features
In Germany the hallmarking of silverware was regulated by law. Until 1888 silverware was usually stamped with a crescent moon (a recumbent half-moon) and the number 835. After the introduction of the uniform imperial stamp, the number 835 appeared alone or in combination with the maker's mark and the hallmark of the assay office.
Anyone wishing to check the fineness of a piece without a hallmark can use the following methods:
- Streak test – abrasion on a touchstone, comparison with test acid (nitric acid solution)
- X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) – non-destructive, precise determination at a dealer or appraiser
- Density measurement (Archimedes principle) – 835 silver has a density of approx. 10.3 g/cm³
Calculating Melt Value
The intrinsic value of a silver item is derived from gross weight, fineness and the current silver price:
Melt value = Gross weight (g) × 0.835 × Silver price (€/g)
The current silver price and a ready-configured calculator are available under Calculate melt value. Please note: dealers typically pay a discount on the calculated melt value when buying, to cover melting and processing costs. The buying price calculator can be used to estimate the realistic proceeds.
Historical Context
The 835 standard emerged in the German Empire as a compromise between material value and workability. It was less expensive than sterling silver (925 ‰) but offered considerably more substance than later 800-grade ware. During the Gründerzeit and Art Nouveau periods, elaborate silverware services, coffee pots, sugar bowls and jewellery were crafted in 835 silver – many of which survive today as heirlooms or flea-market finds.
After the Second World War, 835 silver lost ground to stainless steel and silver-plated cutlery. As collector's items and for further processing (melting down, reworking), however, such pieces remain in demand.
Tax Note
The purchase of silver goods – cutlery, jewellery, silverware – is subject to the full VAT rate of 19 % in Germany. There is no tax exemption for silver comparable to investment gold (§ 25c UStG); silver investment coins are also not exempt from VAT. When a dealer purchases scrap silver commercially from private individuals, the margin scheme under § 25a UStG may apply, so that tax is only charged on the trading margin.
Profits from private sales may be taxable as private disposal transactions under § 23 para. 1 no. 2 EStG if less than one year has elapsed between purchase and sale and the profit, together with other disposal gains, exceeds the tax-free allowance of €1,000. After the one-year period the profit remains tax-free. Not tax or investment advice – please consult a tax adviser for individual cases.
In Brief
835 silver represents a robust Central European standard with 83.5 % silver content that shaped generations of silverware. Anyone who owns old cutlery or jewellery can quickly determine the calculated intrinsic value using the silver calculator.