800 Silver

800 silver denotes a silver alloy consisting of exactly 800 parts per thousand – i.e. 80 percent by weight – of pure silver. The remaining 20% is predominantly copper, which improves the mechanical strength and workability. In Germany, 800 silver was for decades the statutory minimum standard for silverware and remains to this day the most common alloy encountered in heirlooms, old stock and flea markets. You can calculate the current silver price and the melt value of a specific piece online at any time.

Hallmarks and identifying features

In Germany, 800 silver is traditionally stamped with the crescent-and-crown hallmark (crescent moon + crown) – a mark that has stood for tested silverware since 1888 and guarantees the buyer the state-controlled fineness declaration. Alongside it, the plain number 800 is often found, sometimes supplemented by the maker's master mark or the mark of a refinery.

Distinction from other silver alloys

800 silver is deliberately distinguished from other common alloys:

• 835 silver (835 ‰): often used for German post-war cutlery; slightly higher silver content and at the same time slightly brighter in colour.
• Sterling silver (925 ‰): the international standard for jewellery and modern table silver; markedly softer in tone, higher fineness.
• Britannia silver (958 ‰): British high standard, almost pure silver, very soft.
• Fine silver (999 ‰): investment metal (coins, bars), hardly suitable for everyday objects.

The lower silver content of the 800 grade makes the alloy harder and more resistant – ideal for cutlery in daily use – but also leads to a somewhat warmer, slightly yellowish-grey tone and to stronger tarnishing than in higher-grade alloys.

Calculating melt value

You can determine the material value of an 800 silver piece easily with the following formula:

Melt value = Weight (g) × 0.800 × Silver price (€/g)

Example: 100 g of 800 cutlery silver at a silver price of 0.95 €/g yields a melt value of 76.00 €. It is more convenient with the melt value calculator or the silver calculator, which automatically include the current daily price. The actual purchase price offered by a dealer is usually 10–25% below that, since testing, melting and handling costs apply.

Tax classification (Malta)

For private individuals selling old 800 silver: Malta levies no capital gains tax on private disposals of movable assets such as silver. Maltese capital gains tax applies only to specific asset categories (immovable property, securities, business interests and similar). There is no German-style one-year speculation period under Maltese law.

On the VAT side: silver is not investment gold and is therefore not exempt from VAT. Silver (like platinum and palladium) is subject to VAT at the Maltese standard rate of 18%, in line with EU law transposed via Council Directive 2006/112/EC. On the commercial purchase of old silver from private hands, a dealer may apply the margin scheme, so that VAT is charged only on the trade margin rather than on the full sale price. This is not tax or investment advice – please consult a tax adviser for specific questions (cfr.gov.mt, legislation.mt).

Typical areas of application

800 silver is found mainly in:

1. Cutlery and tableware – spoons, forks, knives, trays (the main field of use in Germany and Austria until around 1980)
2. Jewellery – rings, chains, brooches; rarer today, since sterling (925) dominates the market
3. Silverware of the early 20th century – teapots, sugar bowls, candlesticks
4. Middle East and North Africa – where 800 silver remains widespread as a jewellery alloy to this day

In brief

800 silver, with 80% silver content, is the classic German everyday alloy for cutlery and tableware – recognisable by the crescent, crown and the stamp number 800. Anyone who owns or buys old silver should know the weight and current silver price in order to reliably assess the real material value.