Silver Identification Day at the Museum

Is your silver sugar bowl plated or sterling? What does a hallmark mean?

You can find out this and more on Sunday, Jan. 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver Identification Day at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax.

At this special event, museum curators and guest experts from the community will provide identification and advice on the significance and care of your silver tablewares, coins, trophies, and decorative pieces.

"Sterling silver is a common phrase, but many people may not realize that the term refers to a specific quality of silver, just as 18-karat gold refers to the quality of gold," said Scott Robson, curator of history collection at the Nova Scotia Museum. "We will help visitors identify and determine the quality and historical significance of their silver pieces and heirlooms."

Silver Identification Day is one of the public programs offered in conjunction with the Secrets of Silver exhibition, which features works of master craftsman Carl Poul Petersen, a visiting exhibition from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition also includes a wonderful selection of silver artifacts from Nova Scotia collections. It is on display until Sunday, Feb. 22nd.

"Most homes have some examples of silver, sterling or plate, new and sparkling or old and tarnished. This event is a particularly special opportunity for you to find out more about your silver and compare it to the 260 pieces on display in the exhibit," said museum manager Alex Wilson.

The roster of experts for the event includes Nova Scotia Museum curator of history collection, Scott Robson, and former chief curator of history Marie Elwood, who will comment on tablewares and trophies. Coins will be identified by David Wolfe, president of the Halifax Coin Club and vice president of the Atlantic Provinces Numismatic Association. George Lafontaine will examine silver spoons.

Although this event has all of the makings of a popular TV identification and collectables show, the museum's event will only provide identification and history, no appraisals will be given.

For more information on the silver exhibit see the website at museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/ .