In the days when brass instruments were not as expensive as silver-plated ones, the term, silver band, implied a band that could afford the latter, and thus were a more successful band.
Now, however, the costs are similar, and the distinction between brass and silver bands is generally not made. Some bands carried the name, silver prize band, as a result of their successes in contests and competitions. As time went on some kept the name, silver.
Below is a picture of Stape winning Kirkbymoorside contest in 1935 as "Stape Silver Prize Band"
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/29be76_d2701fbe8aa044d2a182f8509a72b5a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_78,h_53,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/29be76_d2701fbe8aa044d2a182f8509a72b5a5~mv2.jpg)