Help Iding an 1877 spoon or tea stirrer item - composition, manufacturer, etc...

[Chad1978]

Hi treasurenet! I was detecting in Tildenville, FL (central Florida area) yesterday and found this small spoon or tea stirrer item, don't think its a spoon because the bottom is flat. Any help ID'ing other aspects of it would be greatly appreciated. also not sure if it indeed says 1877 on the reverse-side (pictures included), but I am 99% sure it does. Does that mean it was made in 1877? there is also some type of mark on the top reverse of the item but not sure what it means (maker's mark?)

Oh, and does anyone know how I could clean it up without destroying it? IT isnt sterling silver, maybe copper? maybe silver-plated? Did they ahve silver plating in the late 1800's?

 

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[nhbenz]

Yes, there was plenty of silver plating in the late 1800's. Yours may be this though, from 1904: Copper Lamp - 1877 Niagara Falls Co Silverplate Flatware Patterns

This is a different pattern, but shows the mark I think is on it: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/pro...collector_spoon/vintage/collectibles/souvenir