N.C. Gen. Stat. § 80-43: Marking articles of silver plate regulated.

It shall be unlawful to make for sale, or sell, or offer to sell or dispose of, or have in possession with intent to sell or dispose of, any article of merchandise made in whole or in part of inferior metal, having deposited or plated thereon or brazed or otherwise affixed thereto, a plate, plating, covering or sheet of silver or of any alloy of silver, which article is known in the market as "silver plate" or "silver electroplate," or by any similar designation, and having stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted thereon, or upon any tag, card or label attached thereto, or upon any box, package, cover or wrapper in which the article is enclosed, the word "sterling" or the word "coin," either alone or in conjunction with any other words or marks. Violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1907, c. 331, s. 4; C.S., s. 4015; 1993, c. 539, s. 590; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14 (c)