American Coin Silver Teaspoon with Drop and Monogram
Flatware - Spoon (Teaspoon) · Unidentified American Maker (marked 'D. White' or similar regional retailer/maker), active in the 19th century.
Pattern: Plain Fiddle / Spear-drop pattern common in early to mid-19th-century American flatware.
Type
Flatware - Spoon (Teaspoon)
Maker
Unidentified American Maker (marked 'D. White' or similar regional retailer/maker), active in the 19th century.
Material
Coin Silver (.900 purity), standard for American silverware prior to the widespread adoption of the British sterling standard around the 1860s.
Dimensions
Standard teaspoon length, approximately 5.5 to 6 inches (14-15 cm). Weight is estimated around 15-25 grams typical for coin silver teaspoons.
Description
An attractive and classic American coin silver teaspoon featuring a smooth fiddle-back handle embellished with a flowing, hand-engraved three-letter script monogram at the terminal. The reverse reveals a distinct circular drop where the stem joins the back of the bowl, lending structural reinforcement and traditional aesthetic charm. Stamped with a maker's hallmark 'D. White', this piece exemplifies the domestic silver craftsmanship of the pre-Civil War era.
Key Features
Prominent bowl drop design on the reverse, crisp script monogram at the terminal, classic American coin silver composition and maker's stamp.
Material & Composition
Coin Silver (.900 purity), standard for American silverware prior to the widespread adoption of the British sterling standard around the 1860s.
Finish & Decoration
Smooth polished finish with a rounded fiddle-back handle terminal featuring a script monogram ('HTL'). Notable drop (rat-tail variant) where the stem meets the bowl back.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Impressed maker's mark reading 'D. White' along with an accompanying pseudo-hallmark or retailer mark block ('EBS' or similar initial stamp) on the reverse stem.
Construction Details
Die-struck or hand-forged from coin silver ingots, common for 19th-century American spoon production. The bowl features a reinforced drop attachment soldered or hammered directly onto the tapering stem.
Functional Features
Designed for stirring tea or consuming liquid refreshments from cups or bowls.
Handle & Grip Details
Fiddle-back profile handle flaring out at the terminal to provide a comfortable grip, engraved with a period script monogram.
Craftsmanship Details
Traditional 19th-century American silversmithing techniques showing manual striking of hallmarks, hand-engraving of the monogram, and functional bowl-drop shaping.
Authentication Indicators
Genuine period marks with characteristic unevenness of hand-stamping, appropriate coin silver color and patina, and authentic period script engraving styles.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, produced by regional silversmiths or local jewelers using melted down circulating silver coins.
Era & Period
American Federal or Victorian Period, circa 1830-1860.
Age Estimate
Mid-19th century, approximately 1840-1860.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the domestic life and dining customs of 19th-century America, where personalized flatware engraved with family initials was a treasured household possession and a marker of middle-to-upper-class respectability.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Shows expected surface micro-scratches, minor wear consistent with age and gentle use, and a warm silver patina. The structural integrity is sound with no major dents or repairs.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $25 and $75 USD depending on collector demand for the specific maker, regional interest, and overall condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Use a quality silver cream like Wright's only when necessary to remove heavy tarnish, taking care to preserve the antique patina in the recesses. Store in an anti-tarnish cloth or pouch.
Similar Pieces
Mid-19th-century American coin silver teaspoons by regional makers such as Wood & Hughes, Lincoln & Reed, or various local New England and Mid-Atlantic silversmiths.
Interesting Facts
Before the United States fully embraced the British .925 sterling standard in the mid-1860s, American silversmiths relied heavily on melting down Spanish-American and US silver coins (hence 'coin silver' at roughly .900 purity).