[CharacterCounts]

These people are idiots. The silver is still silver no matter what shape it is, a teapot or a bar.

I don't get your comment. From the article, it appears they are converting their silver to cash.

[Red Badger]

Yes, they are converting to cash that will go down in value.
The silver remains valuable no matter what shape it occupies.
Plus there’s the intrinsic value of the antique itself that will stay relatively high for a long time. They are destroying value in that respect...........

[Atlas Sneezed]

From the article, it appears they are converting their silver to cash.

---

I think the assumption is that they could have sold the antiques to buyers (such as on eBay) that would have put a premium on their antique and functional value, and more than the smelter would pay.