A woman who bought a silver-coloured frame from a charity shop for less than a dollar discovered it was made of high-grade sterling silver, potentially worth around $150 (£111).
Tatiana Brito was browsing at a Goodwill store in Gary, Indiana, when the frame caught her eye. She initially bought it simply because she thought it looked nice, but upon reaching her car, she took a closer look.
“But once I got in my car and really took a look at it, I realized the stamp and then read the sticker,” she told Newsweek, which prompted her to make a TikTok video about the find.
A Sticker and a Stamp Reveal the Frame’s Value
In the video, Brito showed a sticker on the frame stating it was made from pure .950 silver, free of lead and nickel, and made in Greece. She also found a stamp of the number 950, indicating the frame was made from sterling silver containing 95 percent pure silver.
While standard sterling silver is typically made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals—usually copper—the 950 stamp means the frame contains 95% pure silver and 5% other metals.
Potential Resale Value
As of September 2026, the melt value of sterling silver is roughly £1.44 per gram (£44.68 per troy ounce). However, because the frame has a higher silver content, the sterling silver in it is worth approximately £39.73 per gram or £1,126.31 per troy ounce. This makes it a sought-after material for bargain shoppers.
Brito said she paid “less than a dollar” for the frame. Based on her calculations, she estimates the frame has a resale value of around $150 (£111) if she chooses to resell it.
Commenters on the video shared their reactions, with one saying: “vintage reseller and collector here— holllyyyy cow.” Another explained: “It’s of Greek origin and it’s higher silver content than sterling silver (.925), because this is .950 silver.” A third added: “As a jeweller I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU.”
