Silver is Free and some Free are Silver. When you get to the character screen what does it say above the list of characters? "Silver" in Silver or "Free" in green? Are you logging in thru the patcher? What are the indications there is a difference on the servers?
On the vox server at the top left its silver. On Bertoxxulous its free I am logging in through the patcher.
Assuming this is the same account - Log all the way out, restart computer. Do a file verification on the patcher screen. In the past the patcher not making a good connection in the background has been the reason this happens. Make a post in the bug report section. This might help identify others with the same issue. File a petition. This link (if it still works) outlines your expansion entitlements, item claims (granted, not necessarily still available), and other flags. The flag you want to look for is "EverQuest Chat Token (formerly Silver Membership)". This tells the patcher to designate your account as Silver or Free. If you had the account as Silver before then it should be there. https://account.daybreakgames.com/authenticated/cam/subscriptionDetails.action?gameCode=EQ
