Rare Pittsburgh Coin Silver Spoon by Alexander Richardson c.1839-50

Offered is a very scarce American coin silver teaspoon bearing the maker's mark of Alexander Richardson, working as a silversmith in Pittsburgh from about 1835 to 1850, and listed in tax rolls from 1839-50. Alexander was not able to achieve success with the business, and possibly died early, as the business was passed on to his brother Henry Richardson, whose mark is somewhat more commonly seen. This teaspoon is initialed "NW" in period script and bears a very clear strike of Alexander Richardson's maker's mark. It measures about 5 13/16 inches in length and weighs about 14 grams. Condition is fair overall, with a modest ripple in the handle and a few dings to the bowl, but with no splits or repairs. All in all a very fine example of an extremely scarce maker's work!