International Silver Co. Coronation Pattern Silverplate Teaspoon
Flatware (Teaspoon) · International Silver Company under the Oneida Community / Community Plate brand. Founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, International Silver Co. was a conglomerate of the most famous American silver manufacturers, known for high-quality production and mass-market reach.
Pattern: Coronation; introduced in 1936 to commemorate the planned coronation of King Edward VIII (who abdicated before the event). It became one of the most successful silverplate patterns of the 20th century.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoon)
Maker
International Silver Company under the Oneida Community / Community Plate brand. Founded in 1898 in Meriden, Connecticut, International Silver Co. was a conglomerate of the most famous American silver manufacturers, known for high-quality production and mass-market reach.
Material
Silver plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc coated with a thin layer of pure silver. It features 'overlaid' silver at high-wear points for increased durability.
Dimensions
Approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length. Weight is roughly 30-35 grams. This is a standard individual teaspoon size.
Description
The Coronation pattern is an iconic piece of 20th-century Americana. Designed to capture the elegance of British royalty, it features a distinctive pierce-like floral design at the neck and tip, separated by architectural vertical grooves. It represents the height of attainable luxury for middle-class households during the late 1930s.
Key Features
The 'pierced' look of the floral sprays (which are actually recessed reliefs), the trio of dots at the floral medallion, and the distinctive vertical fluting.
Material & Composition
Silver plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is a base metal alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc coated with a thin layer of pure silver. It features 'overlaid' silver at high-wear points for increased durability.
Finish & Decoration
Satin finish with bright-cut style floral piercing. The pattern features Art Deco styling with vertical fluting, a floral medallion at the mid-handle, and a decorative floral scroll at the tip. The style is a transition between Art Deco and Late Victorian Revival.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected stamps on the reverse would be 'COMMUNITY' or 'COMMUNITY PLATE' alongside the pattern name 'CORONATION'. As a plated item, it lacks a .925 or 'Sterling' mark.
Construction Details
Machine die-struck from sheet metal. This piece was mass-manufactured using high-pressure steel dies to create the crisp floral details and fluted handle. The bowl is shaped in a separate stamping process.
Functional Features
An elliptical bowl with a tapered tip for versatility in stirring and eating. It has a slightly reinforced neck to prevent bending under pressure.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle, integrated with the bowl (one-piece construction). The handle flares toward the end for an ergonomic grip, featuring a recessed central channel with vertical fluted lines.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The die-striking is extremely crisp, and the silver plating was originally applied with 'triple' or 'quadruple' thickness at the points of contact with the table (the 'heel').
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic Coronation pattern geometry; correct handle flare and floral arrangement. The lack of a 'Sterling' mark and the specific color of the tarnish (slight yellowish tint) are consistent with high-grade silverplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States; manufactured in Sherrill, New York or Meriden, Connecticut. Oneida/International Silver dominated the American mid-century market through advanced industrial silverplating techniques.
Era & Period
Art Deco / Depression Era (1930s). The design reflects the mid-1930s fascination with streamlined fluting combined with traditional floral motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1936-1950. While the pattern was made for decades, the crispness of the detail suggests a mid-century production date.
Cultural Significance
Coronation was one of the first patterns to be marketed heavily through lifestyle magazines, symbolizing a 'new era' of domestic sophistication for the post-Depression American family.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Good condition. There is visible surface tarnish and light 'heel wear' on the back of the bowl. No significant 'bleeding' (base metal showing through silver) is visible on the front, though 'plate loss' is a concern for items of this age.
Value Estimate
$3.00 - $8.00 USD per piece. Value is primarily functional or sentimental, as silverplate has very low melt value compared to sterling silver.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soap and water. Use a non-abrasive silver cream like Wright's Silver Cream to remove tarnish. Avoid 'silver dips' which can strip the thin silver layer and damage the oxidized accents in the pattern.
Similar Pieces
Oneida 'Morning Star' (1948) or 'Milady' (1940). Distinguishable by their different floral arrangements and lack of the specific vertical fluting found in Coronation.
Interesting Facts
The pattern was originally named to celebrate Edward VIII. After his abdication, the pattern remained so popular that it stayed in production for over 40 years, becoming a staple of American wedding registries.