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

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.

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 It was commonly used for jewelry, silverware, and coinage but has largely been replaced by sterling silver as the modern standard.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.

Learn more below!

• What is 800 Silver (Meaning and Definition)? Where is it From?
• What is the Melt Value of 800 Silver? How Much is it Worth per Gram?
• Is There Jewelry Made of 800 Silver?
• Is There Cutlery and Flatware Made of 800 Silver?
• Is There Bullion (Coins and Bars) of 800 Silver?
• Is 800 Silver Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?
• Is 800 Silver Considered to Be Sterling Silver? Is it a Quality/Good Silver Alloy?
• What is the Hallmark for 800 Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and Silver Decoplata?
• What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and 500 Silver?
• What’s the Difference Between 800 Silver and Nickel Silver?

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

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 silver standard 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.

What is the Melt Value of 800 Silver? How Much is it Worth per Gram?

The melt value of 800 silver depends on the current silver market price which fluctuates from moment to moment based on the demand/supply interplay.

To determine the worth of your 800 silver item first you need to measure the weight of your jewelry item.

Next, multiply the weight by the silver spot price and then by 0.80 (for 80% purity) to get the melt value.

For example, let’s say the current price of silver is $2.70 per gram. And your 800 silver item weighs 50 grams.

The exact worth of that 800 silver item would be $2.70 x 50 x 0.80=$108.

Is There Cutlery and Flatware Made of 800 Silver?

Yes, cutlery and flatware were commonly made from 800 silver (80% silver), especially in Continental Europe (Germany, Italy, Austria).

800-silver cutlery (forks, spoons, knives…) was popular as a slightly more durable alternative to sterling silver for everyday use, and can still be found in antique collections today, though far less common in modern production.

Is 800 Silver Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?

800 silver isn’t allergenic. It’s 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.

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

Is 800 Silver Considered to Be Sterling Silver? Is it a Quality/Good Silver Alloy?

No, 800 silver isn’t considered to be 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.

800 silver is considered to be a good, quality silver alloy. It’s balanced silver/copper profile makes it a durable, somewhat tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic option for jewelry lovers.

800 silver was because of these reasons popular in Europe in the late 19th/early 20th-century Europe before being permanently supplanted by the superior sterling silver alloy.

What is the Hallmark for 800 Silver?

The hallmark for 800 silver is typically the number “800” stamped directly on the item, often within an oval or other shape. The presence of this marking means and indicates 80% pure silver content.

Other silver identification marks that are often present are maker’s stamps + country-specific specific symbols like Germany’s crescent moon and crown or just a stylized crown for Italian-made 800 silver.

See examples below.

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

The main difference between 800 silver and Silver Decoplata is 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.

Comparison	Silver 800	Silver Decoplata
Composition	80% silver and 20% copper.	72% silver and 28% copper.
Value	Silver 800 is more valuable than Silver Decoplata because it contains more silver than it.	Silver Decoplata is less valuable than Silver 800 because it contains less pure silver than it.
Tarnishing properties	Silver 800 tarnishes slower than Silver Decoplata because it contains more pure silver, and less copper.	Silver Decoplata tarnishes faster than Silver 800 because it contains more copper than it.
Durability	Silver 800 is less durable than Silver Decoplata because it contains more pure silver (silver is less durable than copper)	Silver Decoplata is more durable than Silver 800 because it contains more copper (copper is more durable than silver).
Allergenic properties	800 Silver is less allergenic than Silver Decoplata because it contains less copper than it. And copper is considered more allergenic than silver.	Silver Decoplata is more allergenic than 800 Silver because it contains more copper than it. And copper is considered more allergenic than silver.
Common applications	It was a common standard in continental Europe, particularly Germany and Italy, from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.	Used primarily for minting circulating coinage in various countries during the mid-20th century.

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

The main difference between 800 silver and 500 silver is 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.

Comparison	Silver 800	Silver 500
Composition	80% silver and 20% copper.	50% silver and 50% copper.
Value	Silver 800 is more valuable than Silver 500 because it contains more silver than it.	Silver 500 is less valuable than Silver 800 because it contains less pure silver and more copper.
Tarnishing properties	Silver 800 tarnishes slower than Silver 500 because it contains more pure silver, and less copper.	Silver 500 tarnishes faster than Silver 800 because it contains too much copper compared to its silver content.
Durability	Silver 800 is less durable than Silver 500 because it contains more pure silver (silver is less durable than copper)	Silver 500 is more durable than Silver 800 because it contains more copper (copper is more durable than silver).
Allergenic properties	Silver 800 is less allergenic than Silver 500 because it contains less copper than it.	Silver 500 is more allergenic than Silver 800 because it contains more copper than it.
Common applications	It was a common standard in continental Europe, particularly Germany and Italy, from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.	500 Silver was commonly used in British coins between 1920 and 1946. Occasionally, it is used in jewelry where cost is a significant concern.

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. Whereas 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 silvery appearance.

It’s often used as a less expensive alternative to real silver and there’s plenty of jewelry cutlery and even parts of musical instruments created from nickel silver.

Comparison	Silver 800	Nickel Silver
Composition	80% silver and 20% copper.	60% copper, 20% nickel, and 20% zinc.
Value	Silver 800 is more valuable than Nickel Silver because the latter contains no real silver.	Nickel Silver is less valuable than Silver 800 because it contains no pure silver content.
Tarnishing properties	Silver 800 tarnishes slower than Nickel Silver because it contains more pure silver, and less copper.	Nickel Silver tarnishes faster than Silver 800 because it contains too much copper compared to Silver 800.
Durability	Silver 800 is less durable than Nickel Silver because it contains more pure silver (silver is less durable than copper)	Nickel Silver is more durable than Silver 800 because it contains more copper (copper is more durable than silver).
Common applications	It was a common standard in continental Europe, particularly Germany and Italy, from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.	Nickel silver is used in decorative items (jewelry, flatware, architectural trim), musical instruments (flutes, saxophones), electronics (contacts, switches, connectors), and precision components (keys, watch parts, springs, ballpoint pen tips).

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

800 silver is an alloy of 80% pure silver and 20% other metals, typically copper, marked with “800.”

Also called “Continental Silver,” it was historically a European standard for jewelry, silverware, and coinage, but it is less pure than modern sterling silver (92.5%) and will tarnish.

References:

• What Does an 800 Stamp Mean on Silver Jewelry?- https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/what-does-an-800-stamp-mean-on-silver-jewelry/
• 800 Silver- https://www.bullionbypost.co.uk/index/silver/800-silver/
• The Difference between Silver, Sterling Silver, 900 Silver, 800 Silver, Alpaca, Nickel Silver and Silver Plated Jewelry- https://hunterridgeacquisitions.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/the-difference-between-silver-sterling-silver-900-silver-800-silver-alpaca-nickel-silver-and-silver-plated-jewelry/
• What Is 800 Silver?- https://www.silverrecyclers.com/blog/800-silver.aspx
• Anybody seen this before ? German Silver 800 with Crescent and crown and a „C“ engraved- https://www.reddit.com/r/heraldry/comments/1hj92ta/anybody_seen_this_before_german_silver_800_with/
• Genuine Italian silver “800” hallmarks?- https://www.reddit.com/r/Hallmarks/comments/1g1043g/genuine_italian_silver_800_hallmarks/
• Antique Etched Glass Bowl on a 800 German Silver Bases with Cherubs- https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/bowls-baskets/decorative-bowls/antique-etched-glass-bowl-on-800-german-silver-bases-cherubs/id-f_21931962/
• 2 Antique German 800 Silver Repousse Pierced Putti Cherub Bread Bowls Baskets 8″- https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/dining-entertaining/sheffield-silverplate/2-antique-german-800-silver-repousse-pierced-putti-cherub-bread-bowls-baskets-8/id-f_46927402/
• GUCCI Italy 800 Silver Anchor Beaker- https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/silver-flatware-silverplate/pitchers-decanters/gucci-italy-800-silver-anchor-beaker-18016/id-j_23356972/
• SF Co (500) hallmark – 50% or plate?- https://www.reddit.com/r/Hallmarks/comments/1l5owa5/sf_co_500_hallmark_50_or_plate/
• 1935-1967 Canadian 80% Silver Dollar- https://www.herobullion.com/1935-1967-canadian-80-silver-dollar/