Why it is called Sterling Silver?

We take many words and names in our day to day usage for granted. I mean, we never thought about why a prefix was added to something or somebody.

For example, do we know why the metal silver is quoted as sterling silver in many places? We don’t use that term when go to buy silver coins or silver ornaments! Even silver medals awarded in Olympic game are known as silver medals only and not as sterling silver.

Sterling Silver may have been known first as "Easterling Silver". The term "Easterling Silver" is believed to have been used to refer to the grade of silver that had originally been used as the local currency in an area of Germany, known as "The Easterling".

This "Easterling" area consisted of five towns in the northern part of Germany that banded together in the 12th century under the name Hanseatic League. The Hanseatic League proceeded to engage in considerable commerce with England. In payment for English cattle and grain, the League used their local currency. This currency was in the form of 92.5% silver coins. England soon learned that these coins, which they referred to as "the coins of the Easterlings", were of a reliably high quality and hardness. The original name "Easterling Silver" was later abbreviated to "Sterling Silver".

Silver coins sold in bags by Monex, the precious metals leader of America, are of 90% purity. They also offer Silver Eagles that are pure .999 fine silver, the finest silver coins ever minted and distributed in the U.S.A.

At Monex, silver is available in ingot form too. Through Monex Deposit Company (MDC) you can purchase silver or other precious metals for immediate personal delivery or arrange for convenient and safe storage at an independent bank or depository.