Coin Silver Scalloped Spoon-Help With Marks

[pauline5555]

Have a beautiful old coin silver spoon with a scalloped bowl. Marked on the back with a star, lion passant and capital D all in square cartouche with corners cut. I thought this was American or possibly Canadian but I haven't identified maker. Help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Pauline


.

[silverly]

I hate to see anybody left hanging on waiting for information, but unfortunately, that may be what you have to do in this case. Speaking from some experience but not pretending to be an expert, pseudo marks are very difficult to identify. It seems as though manufacturers, and that is what I take these marks to indicate, were content to have their names kept in the background as long as their goods sold. Retailers of course interface with the public, so their names are expected, but just not always present. I suppose a few of these marks have been identified, but from what I have seen, often these general type of markings are not.

It is a beautiful piece, and the twist handle and engraving fits well with the Cincinnati area.

Good luck with your research. Maybe someday credible research will come to light that explains a lot of these marks. McGrew's "Manufacturers' marks on American Coin Silver" is at least one book that's out there on this subject. I haven't read it, so I can't speak for it myself.
.

[admin]

Hi,
McGrew attributes this set of pseudo-marks to John L. Westervelt of Newburgh, NY. I've also seen a near identical pattern attributed to Francis A. Bunnell of Syracuse. The style is typical of the early 1860's.

Regards, Tom
.

[ScottLansing]

I have some coin silver pieces clearly stamped "John L Westervelt" and also marked with the star, lion, D exactly as in your photo. Apparently John Westervelt used these markings.