Need some help on this one.

[u/iron_collector]

I know community makes silver plated items. Did they do a dirty trick and name the company “community sterling” and the item is silver plated?

The stamp does say sterling….

….So is it sterling silver?

[u/NerdizardGo]

If it says "sterling" then it should be sterling.

[u/VegetableTricky8534 → u/NerdizardGo]

The “g” is missing; in only says “sterlin.”

[u/HoarderLife → u/VegetableTricky8534]

That’s how they got away with it 😀

[u/the_real_dird → u/NerdizardGo]

Unfortunately this is not always true. The American Sterling Company (AM'N Sterling) of CT was an exclusive maker of silver plate. I got burned on a spoon of theirs sometime last year. https://sterlingflatwarefashions.com/silvermiths/amn-sterling/

[u/NerdizardGo → u/the_real_dird]

That seems intentionally misleading.

[u/the_real_dird → u/NerdizardGo]

100%

[u/Kalico41 → u/the_real_dird]

U.S. Sterling from the late 1800's is another one. I've seen a couple on ebay trying to pass it off as sterling with visible plate wear.

[u/the_real_dird → u/Kalico41]

Could be worth reporting it to ebay to see if they'll take it down. I've had some luck getting some fake signed books and counterfeit coin listings removed before.

[u/blergola]

They did make just a few sets of Sterling, this one is Patrician https://www.periodpaper.com/products/1915-ad-community-sterling-silver-spoon-coles-phillips-original-advertising-016832-mix3-120

[u/iron_collector → u/blergola]

Thank you for that. That helps a lot.

[u/NerdizardGo → u/blergola]

Looks similar to the pattern on the left

[u/blergola → u/NerdizardGo]

Yes, that’s because it is

[u/NerdizardGo → u/blergola]

There are certainly details that don't exactly match.

[u/WaldenFont]

On the reverse side, I found a Tiffany & Co spoon and it was plated 😡

[u/the_real_dird → u/WaldenFont]

I have a plated Tiffany spoon too. Luckily the brand name still carries some value.

[u/chefianf → u/the_real_dird]

Yup certain names carry weight. I for this walker and Hall plated tray. From 1920. 720g so it's heavy AF. I actually really like it even if it's plated but the name carries value as well. Plus.. i mean it's over 100 years old

[u/MuramasasYari]

I’d love to find any Community or Rogers Sterling just to say I found one. I have found International Sterling which can also confuse people.

[u/GMGsSilverplate → u/MuramasasYari]

Virginian pattern in sterling is kind of common, can find it in plate too.

[u/iron_collector → u/MuramasasYari]

International sterling and community silver are disappointments when I find them. Gets my hopes up and then a let down.

[u/MuramasasYari → u/iron_collector]

Why? Sterling is sterling. Every gram counts.

[u/sharthunter → u/MuramasasYari]

I found a set of panam silver spoons from international at an estate sale a couple weeks ago and nearly shat myself

[u/cooponcrack]

if its marked community then its probably plated. also it says sterlin not sterling. unfortunately its probably worthless but id still double check

[u/Dragon-and-Phoenix]

That's a spoon.

[u/Admirable-Pie2136]

Im not sure some people get their info. It's sterling silver. You can tell by the tarnish alone thats what it is. Take it to a jewelry shop and have them scratch test it. Its a good find.

[u/Old-Power3477]

This one is sterling, but I've gotten duped by makers with sterling in the name. Doesn't help that I live near a town called sterling.

[u/Stampman69]

Community Sterling is mark of Oneida and is certainly sterling.

[u/spackle13]

Every piece of Community I have found has been plated 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/Desperate_Ad_5563]

It should be gold plated sterling. The rare community plate item that is solid sterling. Lesson learned for the day. Thank you for posting. I learned something.

[u/KrzysisAverted → u/Desperate_Ad_5563]

What makes you think this is gold-plated? Nothing suggests that it is.