1847 Rogers Bros. Silverplate Flatware

What drives value

• The hard truth: '1847' is a founding date, not a year, and it's all plate — priced accordingly
• Complete sets in original wooden chests do best; loose pieces sell by the pound
• First Love and Eternally Yours are the patterns buyers actually search for
• Worn plate (yellow-gray high spots) drops a set to prop-and-craft money