Ah, the million-dollar question! Or, more likely, the "maybe enough for a fancy dinner" question. Before you rush off to trade Grandma's spoons for a speedboat, let's separate the sterling treasures from the silver-plated pretenders. The most crucial factor is whether you're holding solid sterling silver or just a thin layer of shine over a base metal. Think of it as the difference between a solid gold bar and a gold-wrapped chocolate coin; one is the real deal, the other is a fleeting, less valuable pleasure.
Assuming you've confirmed it's sterling, the real money is in the holy trinity of value: the maker, the pattern, and the condition. The maker's mark is your first clue. A piece by a big-name brand like Tiffany & Co. or Gorham is like finding a designer label in a thrift store—it instantly elevates the item's worth. But the brand is only half the story; the pattern is the other. Some patterns are the rock stars of the silverware world, perpetually in high demand.
If you've unearthed a set of Tiffany's "Chrysanthemum," for instance, you can start looking at yacht brochures. This pattern is wildly sought-after. Other heavy hitters include Gorham’s eternally popular "Chantilly," the fabulously ornate "Grande Baroque" by Alvin, Reed & Barton’s fruit-covered "Francis I," and the classic "Joan of Arc" by International Silver. A complete set in one of these patterns is what collectors dream of. Of course, condition matters. A fork that looks like it's been used to dig for buried treasure will be worth less than its pristine counterpart, and while a monogram can be charming, a clean piece is generally more desirable unless the initials belong to someone famous. So, the most valuable silverware is a perfect storm of a top-tier maker, a legendary pattern, and impeccable condition.
