Antique Silver Guides · Mozeris Fine Antiques
Antique Silver Tankards & Mugs
An antique silver tankard is a heavy, lidded drinking vessel, often engraved with a crest or presentation inscription; the smaller mug, frequently a christening gift, shares the form. Weight, a known maker, a 17th or 18th-century date and a lid matter most to value.
Updated October 2026
From grand lidded Georgian tankards to charming christening mugs, drinking silver is among the most satisfying and weighty of antique table silver. A guide to identifying, dating, valuing and selling antique silver tankards and mugs in the UK.
What Is Your Silver Tankard or Mug Worth?
Send a photo, including the marks on the base, and we'll value it free, with no obligation. We reply within one working day.
A silver tankard is one of the most substantial pieces of domestic silver a household could own, heavy, lidded, often handsomely engraved with a crest or presentation inscription. The smaller mug, frequently a christening gift, shares the form in miniature. Both are weighty, sought after and, by maker and date, can be genuinely valuable.
Silver tankards & mugs: what they are
A silver tankard is a large drinking vessel with a hinged lid and a handle; a silver mug is the smaller, usually lidless version.
A tankard is a large single-handled drinking vessel, often with a hinged lid and thumb-piece, in tapering or baluster form. A mug is the smaller, usually lidless version, frequently given as a christening present and engraved with a name and date. Both run from the 17th century onward; Georgian examples, named makers such as Paul Storr, fine engraving and good weight are what collectors prize. We also stock fine antique silver. See our silver collection.
"Weight and maker carry a tankard: a heavy Georgian lidded tankard by a known maker is valued as antique silver, not by its weight."
What collectors look for
Collectors of tankards and mugs look for a known maker, an early date, heavy gauge, a lid and period engraving.
- Named makersPaul Storr and noted Georgian makers are keenly collected.
- Early date & lid17th and 18th-century lidded tankards are most prized; the hallmark dates the piece.
- WeightHeavy-gauge silver is worth more; tankards can be substantial, lifting both metal and collector value.
- Original engravingPeriod crests, armorials and presentation inscriptions add interest; later additions or erasures detract.
What are antique silver tankards & mugs worth?
Every piece is valued individually. These are the things we look at:
What drives value
- MakerPaul Storr and noted makers, against unmarked pieces.
- Date17th and 18th-century examples are the most collected.
- WeightHeavy-gauge silver.
- LidLidded tankards, against plain mugs.
- EngravingPeriod crests and armorials.
Every piece is different. Send us a few photos and we will tell you what your tankard or mug is worth, free and with no obligation. Get a free valuation
What Determines Value
The value of a silver tankard or mug is decided by the maker, the date, the weight, the lid and the engraving.
The factors we assess on a silver tankard or mug:
- Maker: Paul Storr and noted makers over unmarked pieces.
- Date: 17th/18th-century examples most collected.
- Weight: Heavy-gauge silver lifts value markedly.
- Lid: Lidded tankards over plain mugs.
- Engraving: Period crests and armorials over later additions.
- Condition: No splits, dents, repairs or erased inscriptions.
Marks are on the base or near the rim. Look for the lion passant for sterling. Plate is marked EPNS.
What We Look For When a Tankard Arrives
When a tankard or mug arrives we read the marks on the base and near the rim, and on a lidded tankard we check that the cover is marked too.
Then we look at the hinge and the handle joins, check for dents and splits, and note the engraving, since a period crest reads differently from heavy later engraving.
How selling works
- Send photosUse the form on this page, or email them to us.
- A specialist reviews itMaker, marks, age and condition.
- Free estimate by emailWithin one working day.
- You decidePaid once agreed. No obligation.
Free valuation
Request a free valuation
Send us a few photos of your tankard or mug. A specialist looks at every request personally and replies by email with an estimate within one working day. There is no obligation to sell.
What to photograph
- The whole piece. The tankard from the side, with the handle showing.
- The underside. The base.
- The hallmarks, close up. On the base, near the rim and on any lid.
Prefer email? Send photos to info@mozerisfineantiques.com or call 01376 334 482.
Ways to sell
- Mayfair (by appointment)
- Braintree (by appointment)
- Royal Mail Special Delivery
- Free FedEx collection
We buy directly, with payment once you accept our offer, and we can also sell for you by consignment or in our own auctions.
How to identify and date your tankard or mug
Turn it over and look on the base, and near the rim, for the lion passant, the town mark, the date letter and the maker's mark.
| Mark | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Maker's mark | The initials of the maker or firm, in a shield. |
| Lion passant | The English mark for sterling silver. |
| Town mark | The assay office: leopard's head for London, anchor for Birmingham. |
| Date letter | The year of assay. The letter style and shield change with each cycle. |
Turn it over and look on the base (and near the rim) for the lion passant (sterling), town mark, date letter and maker's mark; lidded tankards may have marks on the cover too. Plated pieces stamped EPNS are worth far less. See our EPNS vs sterling silver guide.
The date letter dates it. Use our how to read silver hallmarks guide. As tankards are heavy, the weight of silver counts, but maker, date and condition decide the rest. Our silver price valuation guide explains how silver is valued.
Drinking silver sits with the wider table and christening silver. See our guides to christening sets, Paul Storr silver and browse our silver for sale. When you're ready to sell, visit sell your silver.
Sterling or plate?
Sterling silver
- Lion passant: the English sterling mark
- A town mark, a date letter and a maker's mark
- Valued as antique silver: maker, date, form and condition
Silver plate (EPNS)
- Stamped EPNS or A1, with no lion passant or date letter.
- The marks often imitate hallmarks, so check each one
- Worth far less: decorative value only
Value Your Tankard or Mug
Send photographs of the piece and the marks on the base, and we'll give you an honest, no-obligation valuation.
Strictly by appointment only: no walk-ins at either office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver tankards and mugs: common questions.
What is the difference between a tankard and a mug?
How much is an antique silver tankard worth?
Does an engraved crest add or reduce value?
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Are christening mugs valuable?
Where can I sell an antique silver tankard in the UK?
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the tankard or mug and the marks on the base. We'll respond within one working day.
Sell Your Antique Silver Tankard or Mug
We buy antique sterling silver tankards, christening mugs and drinking silver (Georgian, named makers and heavy lidded examples) valued as antique silver, not as scrap. Free valuation, no obligation.
Thinking of selling? Find out how to sell your Cartier watch with a free valuation from photographs.