Unusual Coin Silver Teaspoon by Joseph Shoemaker of Philadelphia

Offered is an unusual example of an early American coin silver spoon made in the workshop of Joseph Shoemaker but also struck with a large mark of a "T" - the mark could be a journeyman's, but is so large and placed in such a way as to undercut Shoemaker's maker's mark. As such it is unlikely the mark was on the spoon when it was first marked by Shoemaker. It is possible the spoon was resold by someone else, but the most likely explanation is that it was an inventory stamp within the family. The period engraved script monogram is ERT. This is a phenomenon sometimes observed with French silver, and English. A family concerned about theft will strike a deep, un-erasable mark on the underside of a piece, in case the piece is stolen and the monogram buffed off. This spoon measures about 5 7/8 inches in length and weighs about 16 grams. Condition is only fair, with a fair amount of scratching and surface wear, light tip wear, and some dents to the bowl and light rippling to the handle; there are no splits or repairs. All in all an interesting piece by a major Philadelphia silversmith!