What is 800 Silver (Meaning and Definition)? What is its Value and is it Worth Anything?

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What is 800 silver?

What does 800 stamp mean and is 800 silver worth anything?

Does 800 silver magnetize and and corrode and is there jewelry made from this silver alloy?

Find our right below!

TLDR- What is Silver 800?

800 silver is a silver alloy containing 80% pure silver and 20% other metals, typically copper. Also known as “Continental Silver,” it was historically the standard in much of Europe, particularly Germany, Italy, and Holland. Silver 800 objects are marked with “800” to indicate their purity. Its value is approximately 80% of pure silver’s current price.

Unlike sterling silver (92.5% pure), 800 silver is less pure but still hypoallergenic and non-magnetic. It was commonly used for jewelry, silverware, and coinage but has largely been replaced by sterling silver as the modern standard. Vintage 800 silver pieces remain collectible today.

Silver 800 tarnishes, rusts and corrodes when exposed to the Earth’s elements and harsh chemicals and substances.

Here’s an awesome quiz about 800 silver. Take it after you’ve read my guide.

What is 800 Silver (Meaning and Definition)? What is its Value and is it Worth Anything?

Table of Contents

What is 800 Silver (Meaning and Definition)? Where is it From?

800 silver is a silver alloy of 80% silver and 20% other metals (usually copper). 800 silver is also called “Continental Silver” and “International Coin Silver”, because it was historically the standard silver purity used in much of continental Europe, particularly in countries like Germany, Italy, and Holland.

800 silver items are typically marked with the number “800” to indicate their silver content.

How Much is 800 Silver Worth per Gram?

The worth of 800 silver per gram depends on the current spot price of pure silver. Let’s say a gram of pure silver is worth $1. 800 silver, which is 80% pure silver and 20% other metals, would be worth 80% of that, or ~$0.8 per gram.

How to Test for 800 Silver?

The best and easiest way to test for 800 silver is to use an eraser.

Step #1- get both the eraser and the 800 silver item you wish to test;
Step #2- gently rub the eraser over a small area of your silver object.
Step #3- see if the eraser has a slight black mark developed from rubbing.

Go here to learn in detail how to test silver with an eraser.

Testing silver authenticity with an eraser (instructions)

Is 800 Silver Magnetic?

No, 800 silver isn’t magnetic. 800 silver is composed of 80% pure silver and 20% copper. Pure silver isn’t magnetic, and copper is diamagnetic (copper is weakly repelled by magnetic fields).

Is 800 Silver Hypoallergenic?

Yes, 800 silver is hypoallergenic because it’s composed of 80% pure silver and 20% copper.

Pure silver is hypoallergenic to nearly everyone except a small group of people allergic to silver.

Copper is also hypoallergenic to most people although a small percentage of people in the world is allergic to this metal.

You’ll be allergic to 800 silver if you’re allergic to copper or silver, or both.

What is German 800 Silver? Is it the Same as 800 Silver?

German 800 silver is an alloy of silver containing 80% pure silver and 20% other metals, typically copper.

German 800 silver was common for silverware and coinage in Germany, Italy, and the United States.

This type of silver often had a hallmark indicating the 800 fineness. In some regions, a crescent moon and crown mark might also be present.

German 800 silver with crescent and crown- source

Is 800 Silver Sterling Silver?

No, 800 silver isn’t sterling silver.

Sterling silver is a silver alloy that contains 92.% silver content and 7.5% copper. 800 silver contains pure silver and 20% other metals (typically copper) to strengthen it. Sterling silver is used widely in the jewelry industry and is the internationally recognized standard for silver.

800 silver peaked in popularity in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries and is now used relatively sparingly.

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and 999 Silver?

The main difference between 800 silver and 999 silver lies in their purity. 800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while 999 silver (also known as fine silver and three nines fine) is 99.9% pure silver.

800 silver is harder and can be used in jewelry design. 999 silver is softer and more malleable but also less prone to tarnishing due to its higher purity.

999 silver is also known as IRA-eligible silver. It’s silver bullion (coins and bars) you can include in your silver IRA account.

You can buy IRA-approved silver over at Augusta Precious Metals. Augusta Precious Metals are the best gold IRA company in the US. Augusta’s fees are very affordable and as a new customer you can get all fees waived for 10 years upon your request.

Get your free precious metal investment guide here!

Augusta Precious Metals sell fine silver

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and 900 Silver?

The main difference between 800 silver and 900 silver lies in their purity. 800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while 900 silver (also known as coin silver) is an alloy of 90% pure silver and 10% other metals.

900 silver is more valuable than 800 silver because of its higher silver content. This silver type is known as “coin silver” because it was used for coinage in the United States from 1792 until 1964 when it was replaced with coinage made with cheaper materials.

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and 958 Silver?

The main difference between 800 silver and 958 silver lies in their silver purity. 800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while 958 silver (also known as Britannia silver) is an alloy of 95.8% pure silver and 4.2% other metals.

958 silver is more valuable than 800 silver because it contains more pure silver. 958 silver is a common standard, especially in Great Britain, and is often used in coinage and antique silver objects. It’s also often used for flatware and tableware.

Silver spoon made from 958 silver (Britannia silver)- source

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and 500 Silver?

The main difference between 800 silver and 500 silver lies in their silver purity. 800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while 500 silver (also known as half-silver) is an alloy of 50% pure silver and 50% other metals (copper, zinc, nickel, lead…).

500 silver is less common than 800 silver and is primarily found in older British coins and cutlery.

Silver cutlery made from 500 silver- source

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and Silver Argentium?

The main difference between 800 silver and Silver Argentium lies in their composition and resulting properties.

800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals. Silver Argentium is a modern silver alloy with a higher silver content (93.5%, 94%, or 96%) that includes germanium, a metalloid that replaces some of the copper.

Germanium as a copper replacement in Silver Argentium helps increase hardness and durability and increase tarnish resistance.
Argentium silver is often used in jewelry, particularly for heirloom pieces and items where durability and tarnish resistance are highly valued.

Silver Argentium is a new silver alloy that’s growing in popularity YoY.

Silver Argentium jewelry example- source

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and Nickel Silver?

The difference between 800 silver and nickel silver is that 800 silver is a true silver alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while nickel silver (also known as German silver) is a copper alloy containing nickel and zinc, and no actual silver.

Nickel silver contains no silver but is called “silver” because of it’s similar appearance. It’s often used as a less expensive alternative to real silver and there’s plenty of jewelry cutlery and even part of musical instruments created from nickel silver.

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and Silver Decoplata?

The main difference between 800 silver and Silver Decoplata lies in their silver purity. 800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while silver decoplata (also known as 720 silver) is an alloy of 72% pure silver and 28% copper.

Decoplata has a lower silver content than 800 silver, making it less valuable in terms of its precious metal content. It’s primarily associated with coinage, particularly in Mexico and the Netherlands during the mid-20th century, where it was used as a debasement measure to reduce the silver content in coins while maintaining their size.

What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and Silver 875?

The main difference between 800 silver and silver 875 lies in their silver purity. 800 silver is an alloy containing 80% silver and 20% other metals, while silver 875 (also known as zolotnik Russian silver) is an alloy of 87.5% pure silver and 12.5% other metals.

Also known as “Russian silver,” this alloy is slightly more pure than 800 silver, containing 87.5% pure silver.

Golden tea strainer with silver 875- source

Is There Jewelry Made of 800 Silver?

Yes, there’s jewelry made of 800 silver.

800 silver was a common alloy in European countries, especially in Germany, Italy, and the United States, for jewelry items bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings broches…

Nowadays, sterling silver is the standard in jewelry design, and silver 800 has fallen by the wayside.

You can find 800 silver jewelry and cutlery (forks, spoons, knives…), particularly antique or vintage pieces, on platforms like Etsy or with antique jewelry collectors.

Is There Bullion (Coins and Bars) of 800 Silver?

No, there isn’t bullion made of 800 silver.

Silver bullion is made from 99.9% pure silver and 800 silver lacks that necessary purity level.

800 silver coins do exist but are no longer in circulation. Nowadays, only rare coin collectors value these coins because of their specific silver content.

1935-1967 Canadian 80% Silver Dollar is an example of silver coin made from 800 silver.