posted 04-18-2011 02:25 PM            

I am new here and my husband and I collect old cigarette cases and especially like it when we get a silver or sterling silver one. We recently bought one and were dismayed to discover that sterling was spelled "streling". It is a beautiful case with a scrolled floral raised type design on the outside and inside is labeled thusly"

Streling
Silver 950

We have a similarly designed smaller one which is merely labeled sterling 950.

The questionable case seems to have the weight and appearance of silver, but we wonder if some labels were phony as I read in your forum about hallmarks being "altered." Perhaps we have a "Rare" mis-mark which is truly more valuable instead of having been taken as fools. I hope it is the former as opposed to the latter.

posted 04-18-2011 02:35 PM            

Please read the text about photos etc. And forum guidelines.

I am sure that you will benefit much from the knowledge here - in your collecting.

A photo might tell whether it is a mistake or if someone is making fake.

950 - that is not sterling, but that grade of silver is used in a few countries.

But start with a photo.

posted 04-18-2011 03:59 PM            

Thank you for your information.

Unfortunately my digital camera is not good enough for me to get a good picture at this time.

posted 04-18-2011 04:44 PM            

Here the different silver alloys:

Fine Silver

Investment grade, or fine, silver is 99.9 percent (.999) pure or better. The Silver Maples produced by the Royal Canadian Mint are 99.99 percent (.9999) pure silver. But pure silver has some qualities that can be undesirable in particular applications. It is soft and bendable, and oxidizes easily producing a tarnish. Jewelry makers and other users of silver often mix silver with other metal to make it more suitable for their purposes. Silver of between 92.5 percent purity and fine is called sterling silver.

Sterling Silver

The standard content of sterling silver is 92.5 percent (.925) silver and 7.5 percent copper. The presence of the copper increases the hardness of the alloy, making it less likely to bend. It also slows down the rate of oxidation so silver jewelry and flatware doesn't tarnish as quickly as fine silver. Sterling silver is usually identified with a marking of "925" or "ster" on the bottom or rear of a sterling silver piece.

Other Alloys

A different alloy of sterling silver, called argentium, is also created with 92.5 percent silver. Argentium, however, replaces a small amount of the copper with a metal called germanium. This special alloy is useful in applications that have exposure to high temperature since it reduces the firescale that forms in normal sterling silver. It also has even higher tarnish resistance than ordinary sterling silver.

950 Silver

Silver of 95 percent purity is relatively rare because it is a nonstandard alloy. Technically it is not fine silver because it falls considerably below 99.9 percent fineness. This means it is sterling silver, but more pure than most sterling silver. 950 silver will be softer than most sterling silver and will tarnish more easily. This means it is unlikely to be used in most industrial applications. Most 950 silver is used for jewelry.

Other Alloys

In 2007 a U.S. patent issued for an alloy of sterling silver with "enhanced tarnish resistance" and "exceptional" hardness. Like most sterling silver, this alloy contains 92.5 percent silver. But it only has about 5.25 percent copper. The remainder is made of zinc, tin, lithium, silicon, germanium and boron. Sterling silver of 92.5 percent purity is also alloyed with platinum in some artistic settings to modify appearance, make it harder and increase tarnish resistance.

Regards
Postnikov

posted 04-18-2011 05:51 PM            

Without pictures, it's impossible to be sure, but from your description, your item is most likely mid-20th century Japanese silver of .950 fineness (they're commonly marked as you describe). The "Streling" would be nothing more than an error in spelling on an item intended for the American market from a country whose language is not English (can't say that I'd see any rarity or extra value in the mistake).