Rare Pair of Hannibal, Missouri Coin Silver Spoons by George Mitchell

Offered is a very rare pair of Missouri coin silver spoons from Hannibal jeweler George Mitchell, whose biographical information appears below. These spoons are well marked with a mark of COIN, a mark of G.MITCHELL, and a mark of HANIBAL (the town's name was spelled "Hannibal" even during Mitchell's time there, so this mark was cut incorrectly by the die maker). Missouri silver sometimes includes a town mark, but Hannibal (hometown of Mark Twain) seems to be more rare than most as a mark. These spoons are also engraved with a period script monogram. These pieces measure about 5 5/8 inches in length and weigh about 25 grams altogether. Condition is fair, with lots of dents, dings an bends to the spoons, but with no splits or repairs. Please scroll through all of the photos. All in all a fine example of early small-town Missouri coin silver!

George Mitchell, Mitchell & Son, jewelers, P. O., Marshall. Was born in Aberbrathswick, Farforshire, Scotland, April 17, 1818. His parents both died when he was but a child, and he was raised by his uncle. At the age of fourteen he learned the jeweler’s trade. In 1835, he came to the United States, and located at Pulaski, New York, and carried on the business there for twenty years. In 1857, he moved to Hannibal, Missouri, and there carried on his trade until 1865, and then moved to Quincy, Illinois, where he lived until 1873, when he moved to this county and located in Marshall, where he has since lived and pursued the jeweler’s business, having a large and paying trade. He was married in 1838 to Miss Amanda B. King, daughter of Major Henry King, Pulaski, N. Y. She died on the 10th of March, 1881. Frank G. Mitchell is the only child living, now doing business with his father. Source: cousin-collector.com/projects/index.php/saline/people/1671-marshall-township-biographies