Sell old silver – broken, incomplete or tarnished as well
A bent spoon, a candlestick without its partner, a box of blackened heirlooms. For the silver value only weight and fineness count – the condition is beside the point, and the fineness is usually simply there in the stamp.
- Zilver 999
- €1.38/g
- Zilver 925
- €0.94/g
- Zilver 900
- €0.92/g
Tarnish says nothing about value
Silver reacts with sulphur compounds in the air and so forms a thin layer of silver sulphide – first yellow, then brown, finally black. That layer is a fraction of a micrometre thick; the fineness underneath does not change because of it. A pitch-black 835 sugar scoop is worth exactly as much per gram as a gleaming one.
Broken and incomplete makes no difference either. A snapped bracelet, one candlestick of a pair, a teapot without its lid: we melt and separate ourselves, so we settle on what is in it.
So do not polish it. It yields nothing extra, and every polish takes a little silver away. Bring it just as it comes out of the cupboard.
Reading Dutch assay marks: leeuw, minervakop, zwaardje
Dutch silver has carried state assay marks since 1814, and with old silver they are often the quickest proof that a piece is solid. The lion (leeuw) is the fineness mark on larger work, the Minerva head (minervakop) with a letter inside it is the mark of the assay office that tested it, and the little sword (zwaardje) appears on small silverware such as teaspoons, brooches and cigarette cases.
Foreign silver has assay marks of its own and often simply a fineness in figures: 925, 835 or 800. If you recognise nothing, that is no problem – we read the marks at the table and check the fineness afterwards with an X-ray analysis, in your presence.
Silver-plated has no material value
The most important sorting with old silver is between solid and silver-plated. Plated work carries a layer of a few micrometres over a base core; separating that costs more than it yields, so we can offer nothing for it.
You recognise plated work by the stamps: figures such as 90 or 100 (a plating measure – the quantity of silver applied to a fixed quantity of cutlery during manufacture – and therefore not a fineness) and letters such as EPNS. Alpaca or nickel silver is no silver either, but a copper-nickel-zinc alloy. Solid silver carries 925, 835 or 800 – or an old Dutch assay mark.
How a box of old silver is settled
Settlement runs per fineness: 925, 835 and 800 each have their own price per gram. We therefore first sort your lot into solid and plated, and after that per fineness, and each pile goes onto the calibrated scales separately, with you standing there.
The sum is verifiable afterwards: fine weight – the pure silver per pile – times the daily rate, less our margin. Smaller amounts are paid in cash, larger amounts reach your account within 24 hours.
Lots and estates
Old silver seldom comes piece by piece: it comes by the box, out of a cupboard being emptied or a house being sold. Do bring it all at once; whatever turns out to be plated we set aside and you take it back.
With larger lots we come to you insured, throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. For an estate we can draw up a written valuation for the notary if you wish.
What we pay depends on the purity alone; the scale is under Silver by alloy. If the piece is still intact and wearable, also have a look at Silver jewellery.
Not sure about your item? Book a free valuation or view all silver prices for today.
How much of the market price you receive
For silver it is 98% for silver bars, 98% for fine silver and 72% for sterling silver.
| What you sell | You receive | For a larger lot |
|---|---|---|
| Silver bars | 98% | – |
| Silver bullion coins | 98% | – |
| Fine silver (999) | 98% | – |
| Sterling silver (925) | 72% | – |
The percentage applies to the fine metal it contains: 18-carat jewellery is 75% gold. The difference from 100% is our margin. It is shown openly here for each type, and comes from the same setting used to calculate every price on this site.
Why XGOUD is a reliable buyer of gold and silver
- Open margins: the table above shows, for each type, how much of the market price you receive, so every price on the site can be checked.
- Market price from Swissquote, refreshed every minute. Every price shows the time of the last update.
- Since 1992 in the buying trade, with 45 locations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) under number 95774297, with its head office at Piuslaan 26 in Eindhoven.
- Free, no-obligation valuation: you only decide once you know our offer.
- 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on 54 reviews
How to sell your old silver
From walking in to being paid usually takes less than half an hour.
Bring everything with you
Broken, single and tarnished pieces included. There is no need to pre-sort, and doing so sometimes costs you silver.
We sort at the table
Per metal and per fineness, in your presence. Plated work we set aside and you simply take it back.
Weighing and working it out
Every fineness separately on calibrated scales, times the rate of that moment. We work it out aloud.
Paid out straight away
In cash or by bank transfer. For an estate we can also set the valuation down in writing.
Silver price per alloy, today
Silver knows no carat but alloys. The stamp in your item indicates how many thousandths of pure silver it contains.
| Alloy | Hallmark | Purity | Per gram | Per 10 grams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zilver 999 | 999 | 99.9% | €1.38 | €13.84 |
| Zilver 925 | 925 | 92.5% | €0.94 | €9.42 |
| Zilver 900 | 900 | 90% | €0.92 | €9.16 |
| Zilver 835 | 835 | 83.5% | €0.85 | €8.50 |
| Zilver 833 | 833 | 83.3% | €0.85 | €8.48 |
| Zilver 800 | 800 | 80% | €0.81 | €8.15 |
Purchase prices based on the current silver rate of €1.41 per gram, updated every minute. Prices are indicative; we establish the definitive purity at the counter.
How customers look back on their sale
„On Saturday we went to see Ken at the head office in Eindhoven. What a pleasant and honest man! 2 of our 3 kids came along, which was no problem. He explained everything well and knew what he was talking about, so the children also found it interesting to listen and didn't get bored with the 'grown-up' stuff. It was immediately clear how many grams it was and which calculation went with it. He even advised us to visit other companies as well; it was our own choice to go straight for xgoud, and we would do it again. I received the amount for the gold jewellery I handed in today.”
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„Helped very well in Eindhoven and received a really decent price! It was a good €500 more than the competitor. Friendly, honest, transparent and open. No smart suits and expensive premises, just honest and pleasant service. Thanks again!”
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„Xgoud is a no-nonsense little company that, instead of an elaborate entourage, simply offers good service and above all a good price. Think at least 10% more than the slicker buyers at the top of the search engine.”
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„Last Friday I went to XGoud in Eindhoven without an appointment. Helped by Ken. The service and advice were excellent. Ken saw straight away what carat the gold was. Another important point: you get a good price. I had also looked at other gold buyers, but they came out much worse.”
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„Very trustful, honest and open negotiation. I deep recommend and is not necessary go far away to get a fare and honest trade. I will return in case needed.”
„Great service from Ken and Esther. There were some problems with the bank regarding the transfer, but this was neatly resolved. Good daily price, and I recommend everyone to go here!”
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„Xgoud in Eindhoven is really worth recommending, with a good price. I called several shops and asked what I could get per gram for my gold at that moment; most of them couldn't tell me and said I should just make an appointment. Then I came across xgoud through their website and called them, asking whether any costs or commission would be deducted from the price on the website. The answer was no: you get the price per gram shown on the website at that moment. I made an appointment and sold my gold there the same day. A very nice man, no fuss or expensive suits and ties, who knows his stuff. He also gave me some tips, for example how to test a scale with a 10 euro cent coin, which should always weigh 4.10 g. One more tip: stay away from the gold exchange office in Weert, they quickly notice when you don't know much about it. The offer I got there was hundreds of euros lower than at xgoud.”
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„Great service and good advice. And 100% transparent communication!! You get the best price for your gold at XGold.”
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„Very friendly and helpful. Treated fairly and everything was clearly explained. Got a good price for my gold.”
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„Transparent, knowledgeable, professional.”
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„Good communication. Arranged quickly and professionally. Good price! I can recommend it.”
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„I'll start by sharing my experience at the Goud-Wissel office in Eindhoven, where I initially ended up on the advice of an acquaintance. I already found it strange that their website didn't tell me roughly what I would receive per gram [in my case 18-carat gold] for the jewellery I wanted to sell. When I came in, the introductory questions felt like a kind of check on whether I knew what I was talking about. Even more: it gave me the creeping feeling that this conversation would be directly linked to the amount they would offer me for my gold. As a layman, I admitted that the generally known current gold price was my only 'knowledge'. What followed was a whole story about the broad concept of this valuation and a list of elements that made it logical that the buying price came nowhere near it. I had to realise that the basic costs of the gold exchange office: rent / fittings / staff / outsourced melting etc. were taken into account [read: deducted] from what was paid out to the customer at the bottom line. After testing, I was then offered 4,000 in short order. I had seen on a website that X-Goud also has a branch in Eindhoven, and it turned out to be almost around the corner. The owner happened to be there because the premises were being fitted out, but even though I had no appointment I was still received very warmly. After a clear, expert, no-obligation explanation and testing, Ekin named a rather different buying price compared to the Goud-Wisselkantoor where I had been an hour earlier. And luckily I had left to look for a kind of second opinion. X-GOUD bought my jewellery for 7,150!!!!!!!! A GOOD 3,000 MORE! Sorry for the long-winded build-up, but this piece really should have been written entirely in capitals so that everyone clearly reads how, in my view, to put it politely, they rip you off right to your face at the Goud-Wisselkantoor. Ekin, thanks again for your friendly service... a pity you couldn't offer coffee yet haha, but the offer for my jewellery more than makes up for it.”
Translated from Dutch
„It took a while before we could make an appointment with Ken, but when he visited us at home we hit it off straight away. Ken explained very clearly how he could assess the different metals. He gave us a very good price. We also had a pleasant conversation with this likeable man.”
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„Keeps his appointments. Good and fair prices. Friendly. A good partner to do business with.”
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„It felt right from the very first contact. Because of how busy it was, it took a little while before we could actually make an appointment, but today everything was neatly settled: no hassle or strange rules, just a fair, good price. We had a nice chat too. I'm very satisfied and will certainly contact Ken again in the future.”
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„Making an appointment took a bit of juggling, because Ken is a busy man, but it was absolutely worth it. He gives a fair price based on the actual daily value and takes the time to explain everything clearly. Transparent and reliable. Definitely recommended!”
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„Meeting up was a bit of a problem at first. But that was made up for with a sincere apology and the price offered for the items I brought. Recommended. In short, fine.”
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„It was a bit difficult to make an appointment, because the owner is always busy and on the road. But in the end I was helped very well and expertly. Everything was clearly explained, and at XGoud I really got the highest price for trading in a gold piece of jewellery!! Very satisfied with how it was handled.”
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„Good price and honest advice. Ekin is likeable and reliable.”
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„Had a small problem with the communication. Afterwards they called me properly, made an appointment and everything was neatly resolved. The company takes responsibility and sorts things out in a relaxed atmosphere 👍”
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„Because of a traffic jam the first appointment didn't go ahead, but the owner kept his word and came to my home. Got a really good price. What a difference from other buyers! A very busy man, but he absolutely keeps his word. A truly reliable company. I can recommend this company to everyone!”
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„Great service and very good contact, keeps appointments well and is very friendly!”
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„XGOUD's service is unmatched! Selling my gold jewellery went quickly and efficiently, and I got a great price. The gentleman even took the time to explain everything step by step. I can't recommend XGOUD enough!”
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„To sell a number of pieces of jewellery and watches, we took them to Ken at Xgoud and to several similar companies. Our conclusion is that at Xgoud the openness, the time taken for advice and of course a high real-time price gave us a good feeling about selling our items there. It went more than fine. Thank you!”
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„Good prices, a decent gentleman who keeps his appointments. I recommend this company to everyone!”
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„Made an appointment quickly and easily and completed the transaction. Also a very enthusiastic and reliable entrepreneur you can have a nice chat with.”
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„Really good service, nice man, fair price for your gold and immediate payment. I recommend XGoud to everyone.”
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„They are transparent about their prices in advance. Sometimes a bit hard to reach, but once you have the appointment, very correct and honest. And a nice price.”
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„I was a bit sceptical at first, because it was my first time. But in the end it was a pleasant meeting with Ken, in line with what we had agreed beforehand. We quickly reached a deal. Meeting at the agreed location was great too. Very good price. Would do it again!”
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„Despite the small amount of gold, just 2 small coins, I got a good price. Paid out in cash without any problem. Thanks Ken, good deal.”
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„Did good business with Ken, received a good price and everything was handled as agreed, and I quickly received the remaining amount in my bank account.”
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„A very pleasant experience with Ken, a good, fair price-quality ratio, so there will definitely be a next time. Theo Schuiling, Rotterdam.”
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„Good and honest advice / price.”
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„Pleasant contact, appointment at the office or simply at home. Everything was handled quickly and professionally, as agreed.”
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„Was able to do business in a very pleasant way. Good price for my gold. Very reliable, comes to your home, very friendly. Cash on the nail. Definitely recommended.”
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„Ken from XGOUD is honest and gives the best price for your scrap gold. Definitely recommended. Regards, Shahab”
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„Good communication & correct handling.”
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„Very friendly, they come to your home, no pushiness, just honest and reliable.”
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„Good communication, smooth handling, in short a pleasant experience.”
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„Fast and clear contact, absolutely good service👌 Recommended”
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„No idea how it is with gold, but with diamonds you shouldn't come here! They have a calculator on their website that is supposed to give a good idea, but they offered 4x (!) less... not to mention how long it took before I got an offer! Next time I'll just go to Belgium again.”
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„Made an appointment via the website. I was called to agree on a place and time. On arrival we got a clear explanation, and Ken from XGoud took his time to value all the pieces. The price he offered, without obligation, was the price as stated on their website. The payment went smoothly too. A very good experience.”
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„Very fast & friendly service. You also get a fair price for your gold and leave with a good feeling!”
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„Good service, and honest”
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„Very pleasant and fast service. Good, clear explanation, truly recommended. I'll be coming back here more often!”
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„A really great company with a good approach, and immediate cash for my gold jewellery 👍🏻”
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„Good, fast service. Old gold jewellery I never used anyway, exchanged at the current high gold price, because I also needed money and this was a quick way to go, with no regrets.”
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„Reliable / honest shop. The buyer is service-minded and leaves room for negotiation towards a win-win for both parties. Recommended!”
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„After visiting 2 jewellers and searching the internet for gold buyers, I chose XGoud. The description of XGoud on the website was very clear. The various buying prices for gold and gold coins were listed at the buying prices current at that moment. A very transparent business. I made an appointment. Indeed not a modern shop, but a friendly and very skilled buyer. He calmly and clearly explained how the carat was determined and how the weighing took place. Then I was asked whether I agreed with the valuation and the amount. After that, everything was put in writing. The financial settlement went fine. (At 2 jewellers I had had a gold 10-guilder coin valued. Their price was a good €50 lower. I would get a bit more for it if I bought other jewellery for that amount.) XGoud is truly recommended. Next time I would definitely choose them again. 30/07/20 Arnold, Sliedrecht”
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„Xgoud is the right place for all your gold, jewellery and coins. It is very transparent, and he gives the maximum amount for the gold you offer. The difference between the valuation and reality (without stones, movements etc.) was minimal, and the difference could be discussed. So recommended without reservation. Top.”
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„Good service and honesty. Recommended! I'll keep coming back here!”
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„A fine, reliable company. Gives a fair price for your gold and jewellery.”
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„Pleasant and friendly service. Got a fine price.”
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„I sold my necklace. He came to his shop especially for me when it was closed. I'm very satisfied with him and with the price I got.”
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A message as soon as silver reaches your price
Currently €1.41 per gram. Tell us at which price we may send you a message – we check every minute.
Questions about selling old silver
Is blackened silver worth less?
No. Tarnish is a thin surface layer of silver sulphide caused by sulphur in the air; the fineness of the silver underneath stays exactly the same. So there is no need to polish before selling, and every polish takes a little silver away. We weigh and measure straight through the tarnish.
What does the zwaardje on my old teaspoons mean?
The little sword is the Dutch state mark for small silverware and confirms that the piece is solid silver and was assayed. For the proceeds it is then the fineness and the weight that count; we work that out for you at the table.
How do I recognise silver plate?
By stamps such as 90, 100, EPNS or alpaca, or by the absence of a fineness stamp. Solid silver carries 925, 835 or 800, or an old Dutch assay mark. If in doubt we sort it out free of charge at the table.
What is old silver worth per gram?
That depends on the fineness: a piece of 835 contains 835 thousandths pure silver, and that fine weight times the daily rate is the basis. The current rate stands on our silver price page and applies at the table as well.
What happens to the plated part of my lot?
We set it aside during the sorting and you simply take it back, or we dispose of it at your request. We charge nothing for that. Pay for it we cannot, however, because plated material holds too little silver to make separating it worthwhile. You see at the table which pieces are involved.
Do you buy a whole estate at once?
Yes, and with estates that happens often. We sort everything at the table, per metal and per fineness, so that you see which part is solid and which part is plated. With larger lots we come to you insured. If you need a written valuation for the notary or the division, we provide that too.
What identification do I need in order to sell?
You need valid photo identification: a passport, identity card or driving licence. We are legally required to record your details when buying precious metal, jewellery and watches. Without valid identification we are therefore not allowed to buy anything.
When do I receive my money after the sale?
You receive your money as soon as you have agreed to the valuation. Smaller amounts we pay in cash; larger amounts reach your account by bank transfer within 24 hours. You sign the purchase receipt first, and payment follows after that.
Is your question not listed? Ask it below, call 085 060 3009 or go to contact.
A question about old silver?
Ask it here. You will receive a personal reply by email, usually within one working day – no automated message and no phone call you did not ask for.
- An answer from a valuer, not from a template
- We keep your question so that you need not repeat anything
- No sales pitch afterwards
Sources
Where you can verify what you have just read.
- The Silver InstituteSilver supply, demand and applications
- WaarborgHollandThe Dutch assay office that verifies fineness and strikes hallmarks
- Waarborgwet 2019The law itself: which finenesses exist and what must be hallmarked
Curious what your old silver would fetch?
Book a free valuation at a location near you. No obligation, and you will know exactly where you stand.