A person may not sell, manufacture for sale, or possess with intent to sell any item of merchandise made in whole or in part of inferior metal which has deposited or plated on it or brazed or otherwise affixed to it a plate, plating, covering, or sheet of silver or silver alloy, and which has stamped on it, on a tag attached to it, or on a package in which it is contained, the word “sterling” or “coin”, alone or in conjunction with any other word or mark.