We recently procured some lovely coin silver serving pieces. Almost all coin silver predates the Civil War and is highly collectible, especially in its earliest forms. If you are not familiar with coin silver then here is a little primer on the topic.
Coin silver is a uniquely American type of silverware created by the colonists in an effort to avoid all things British. Silversmiths decided to forge their own silverware and goods to avoid patronizing British purveyors of sterling silver. European coins were melted down and cast into flatware and serveware. Their silver content was lower than that of sterling, only 90 percent.
Because of the expense involved, sterling flatware of the period is often thin. Since coin silver was more readily available and much less expensive, the pieces are often heavy and have an intricate design or monogram.
The most famous firms for coin silver production were in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The maker's mark on coin silver usually included the first initial and last name of the slversmith, as well as the city and state of the manufacturer.
In 1859 large silver mines were discovered in Nevada and coin silver dropped out of favor. Sterling was more readily available and no longer cost prohibitive to acquire.
Items most commonly available to the collector today are teaspoons and tablespoons.
