yes
Traditional silverware is typically made of stainless steel rather than pure silver, as stainless steel is more durable and less prone to tarnishing. Pure silverware can be made of silver, but it is less common due to silver's softness and high cost. Silver-plated flatware is another option, with a thin layer of silver adhered to a base metal.
It would depend upon the base metal underneath the plating. If it's copper or brass for instance then probably not. If it's a tin based alloy of some sort, maybe.
It's best to use special cleaning products specifically for polishing silver. Apply the cleaner to 100% cotton balls so as not to scratch the silver and rub gently. If the tarnish doesn't come off, try an old toothbrush with softened bristles. There's a good article on caring for silver at link below.
To clean silver plated items, gently wipe them with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and mild dish soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners or polishing compounds, as they can damage the silver plating. For tougher stains, you can use a silver polishing cloth specifically designed for silver-plated items.
Sure, you can eat it, but it'll tarnish the silver. Use stainless steel.
Bleach can cause silver plated jewelry to tarnish, corrode, or lose its shine due to its abrasive and reactive nature. It may strip away the silver plating, expose the underlying base metal, and potentially damage the jewelry irreversibly. It is not recommended to use bleach on silver plated jewelry.
For many years, real silver flatware had to be cleaned by hand. The detergents used in dish washers contained chemicals that would cause real silver to form an unwanted patina of tarnish. In order to maintain its shine, silver that was cleaned in a washer had to be hand polished frequently. Today, most dish washer detergents use a milder formula that is safe for use on real silver flatware. Though silver must still be polished on occasion, it is less likely to cause silver to dull or patina with repeated use.
Use the thinner from that paint, or use Goof Off.
One cent. It was probably plated for use in jewelry or similar. It has no special value to collectors, however.
Yes, it is possible to have silver that has been plated with a layer of gold. This is often done to enhance the appearance of the silver jewelry or object. The gold plating can wear off over time with use.
Monarch Silver Company is a trade name recorded in the Trademark Division of the Patent Office by the National Silver Company in 1943 for use on silverplated flatware and cutlery.