Is this spoon really from the 18th century?

[testing123]

First off, this isn't a metal detecting find, I work at a shop that takes in metals and this came across our desk. It definitely looks old, especially with the silversmith hallmark but the inscription on the back looks newer. What would you place the age of this one at? On the XRF, it was giving readings about 84% silver, which was an odd percentage. The engraving on the front looks old, almost 17th century. Thanks for any input! (It was test scratched before I saw it.)

 

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[Red-Coat]

What a lovely find. I don’t doubt it to be 1700s, or possibly just into the late 1600s. The styling and engraving are correct for that period. Compare to this one (actually Danish not American), unmarked, but from c.1740:



Unfortunately, with only those initials ‘ES’ it will probably be difficult to track it to a maker, and it might not even be American. That could explain the unusual silver standard, especially if it were continental European.

If it were American, it would likely be ‘coin silver’ and, although understood to be nominally .900 fine, it came with no particular guarantee, was much abused and almost unregulated in those times. It wasn’t usually assayed and often relied on the believed silver content of British, Spanish/Mexican and other coins going into the melting pot, for which the silver content of the mixture could vary quite a bit.

 

[Trezurehunter]

What a beautiful find ! I like Red-Coats description. It definitely looks old.

 

[Florida Finder]

First off, this isn't a metal detecting find, I work at a shop that takes in metals and this came across our desk. It definitely looks old, especially with the silversmith hallmark but the inscription on the back looks newer. What would you place the age of this one at? On the XRF, it was giving readings about 84% silver, which was an odd percentage. The engraving on the front looks old, almost 17th century. Thanks for any input! (It was test scratched before I saw it.)
View attachment 2083689

Super nice. You gotta good one there! Congratulations

 

[CoinsAndThings]

Very nice!

 

[villagenut]

I'm really liking that one a heck of a lot....glad it didn't get scrapped

 

[Red-Coat]

My best guess is that the spoon is Scandinavian... possibly Norwegian, and made to meet the old continental standard of .830 silver.

 

[Bamasteve]

Great find

 

[Silvermonkey]

That's one pretty spoon.

 

[WannaDig3687]

sweet save.

 

[dognose]

wow.
a.great find and save.

congratulations

I think it's likely from that Era, Red-coat nailed it.

 

[testing123]

What a lovely find. I don’t doubt it to be 1700s, or possibly just into the late 1600s. The styling and engraving are correct for that period. Compare to this one (actually Danish not American), unmarked, but from c.1740:

View attachment 2083706

Unfortunately, with only those initials ‘ES’ it will probably be difficult to track it to a maker, and it might not even be American. That could explain the unusual silver standard, especially if it were continental European.

If it were American, it would likely be ‘coin silver’ and, although understood to be nominally .900 fine, it came with no particular guarantee, was much abused and almost unregulated in those times. It wasn’t usually assayed and often relied on the believed silver content of British, Spanish/Mexican and other coins going into the melting pot, for which the silver content of the mixture could vary quite a bit.

Thanks everyone, especially Red-Coat! The one you posted does look similar to this one. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

 

[tamrock]

For God's sakes, I'm glad that spoon caught your attention. So many PM scrappers might not of given it a second look and into the fire it may have gone.

 

[ARC]

F.S

 

[Digger RJ]

First off, this isn't a metal detecting find, I work at a shop that takes in metals and this came across our desk. It definitely looks old, especially with the silversmith hallmark but the inscription on the back looks newer. What would you place the age of this one at? On the XRF, it was giving readings about 84% silver, which was an odd percentage. The engraving on the front looks old, almost 17th century. Thanks for any input! (It was test scratched before I saw it.)
View attachment 2083689

Very Nice & Cool!!! Congrats!!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Nice catch & yes looks legit to me

 

[igloo777]

Beautiful. Congrats!