Thrift Store Find Reveals Mid-Century Silver Platter

Anthony Finney Colaiuta bought a silver platter at a Salvation Army thrift store for six dollars. He immediately recognized the item as sterling silver but could not determine its age or maker. After posting photographs online, collectors identified markings on the reverse—a capital “M” above the word “sterling” and the number “02”—that linked the piece to the Mueck-Carey Co., a New York manufacturer of hollowware active in the 1940s and 1950s. The trademark is now owned by Towle Silversmiths.

Newsweek

Enthusiasts consulted the online resource Sterling Flatware Fashions, which displayed identical markings and confirmed the platter’s provenance. The Mueck-Carey Co. produced mid-century American silverware, and its items attract interest from collectors of that era. A 2012 auction by Bonhams Skinner sold a five-piece Mueck-Carey tea and coffee service from around 1950 for $2,700, illustrating the market’s appreciation for the brand.

Newsweek

Weighing 9.3 ounces, the platter’s melt value is roughly $530 based on its 92.5 percent silver content, as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey. Colaiuta described the find as “1 in a million” because the raw metal value alone far exceeds the purchase price. Experts note that the historical provenance and mid-century design could push the resale price well above the melt value, though no specific appraisal is provided.

Newsweek

Colaiuta’s experience highlights how inexpensive thrift-store acquisitions can conceal valuable collectibles, especially when buyers possess basic knowledge of hallmarks. By polishing the platter, he revealed a “beautiful” toning that further enhanced its visual appeal. The episode underscores the role of online collector communities in authenticating and contextualizing vintage silverware, offering a pathway for ordinary shoppers to uncover hidden treasures.

Newsweek