Unmarked Coin? 1790 Demitasse

[hpidaves]

This small spoon (4 5/8") is made of what I think is coin silver. There are no marks on it except for a dot matrix type "1790" on the reverse at the end. The "1" is very faint, but it's there.

Any idea on maker? Not much to go on.

Thanks.

[Traintime]

There are three initials above the date. Last one appears to be "D". This dotting is called Pin Pricked or simply "pricked" engraving. Due to surviving photos and close dating (1800), you might look at this entry: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=23059&p=55617&hilit=pricked#p55617

Tongs are basically a double ended spoon bent over in the center of the handle, so it's not too different. The main thing is prickings are usually a Euro-thing. The main design, cast-in to the one-piece spoon (no joined drop) is also likely northern or central European and searches should bear that out. Beyond this, answers will be a bit less easy with no marks to go on and no test for metal content. One good thing is that the micro-wear marks look right for a well used piece, so the chances of it being a re-casting (with subsequent detail losses) are then reduced (but not entirely dismissed yet). I reserve the right to recant on everything, including this.

[Traintime]

And a recent entry: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... rkey+spoon

[dragonflywink]

Probably Norwegian, won't be able to ID a maker of course, but the prick-engraved date is nice, the decorative rocaille engraving is typical. To be clear, the spoon was not cast, it was wrought, nor does a drop on a spoon indicate a 'join' or two-part construction...

~Cheryl

[Hose_dk]

if the prick engravement include a D - its for datter/dottor daughter
fathersk name with a datter in front.

[hpidaves]

Thank you everyone for the information!

Dave