What does 1420 on silver mean?

The term "1420 on silver" typically refers to the purity of silver, specifically indicating that the metal is 1420 parts per 1000 pure silver. This means the silver content is 14.2% pure, with the remaining 85.8% made up of other metals or alloys. In jewelry and metalwork, higher purity levels like 925 (sterling silver) are more common, while 1420 would be considered lower quality.