A Collection of Antique circa 19th Century Silver Sterling Souvenir Spoons

Souvenir spoons are one of the most approachable categories of antique silver: small, historic, easy to store, and often richly decorated. But value can vary wildly—from modest plated examples to scarce sterling pieces with enamel, fine repoussé work, or desirable maker’s marks.

This updated guide migrates a legacy appraisal note into a collector-ready article. Use it to quickly sort a mixed group of circa-19th-century spoons, estimate value ranges, and decide what deserves a closer look (or a formal written appraisal).

• Fast takeaway: most mixed souvenir spoon groups trade by condition + silver content; standout pieces trade by maker/rarity.
• What to photograph: full front/back, bowl detail, and every hallmark or stamped word.
• What to weigh: total grams, and grams per spoon if possible (sterling scrap value is a real floor).

What is a “souvenir spoon” (and why collectors care)?

Souvenir spoons rose in popularity in the late 19th century alongside world’s fairs, rail travel, seaside resorts, and civic pride. A “souvenir” example typically has a decorated handle (city crest, landmark, coat of arms, famous building) and is sized more like a teaspoon. Some were functional; many were intended as keepsakes.

In mixed lots you’ll often see a blend of:

• Sterling silver (usually marked “STERLING”, “925”, or with national hallmarks)
• Continental silver (e.g., .800 or .830 fineness)
• Silver plate (decorative, but value is mostly aesthetic rather than metal)

Sterling vs. silver plate: the quickest checks

Most valuation errors happen at the very first step: assuming “silver colored” means sterling. Use these quick checks before you spend time researching patterns and hallmarks.

If you see plate-related marks (for example “EPNS”, “A1”, or vague brand names with no fineness), treat the spoon as plated unless proven otherwise. Plated souvenir spoons can still be collectible when the design is exceptional or the subject/location is desirable, but the price ceiling is usually lower.

Hallmarks, maker’s marks, and origin clues

The original WordPress note referenced a mixed group that likely included Dutch and German examples. In practice, “where it’s from” often matters as much as “what it’s made of” because hallmark systems are highly regional.

• British silver commonly uses a multi-mark system (assay office, date letter, maker’s mark).
• German / Austrian pieces may show fineness numbers and regional systems.
• Dutch silver can show lion marks and city/assay marks; small export pieces may have partial strikes.
• Scandinavian souvenir spoons frequently show .830 fineness and maker initials.

When marks are faint, photograph at an angle in raking light. Often the “missing” information appears in a single good photo.

What drives value for antique souvenir spoons?

Collectors and dealers usually price souvenir spoons by a combination of bullion content (a floor) and collectibility (the upside). These are the most common value drivers:

1. Silver content and weight: sterling and higher-fineness silver can be valued by grams as a baseline.
2. Condition: dents, deep heel wear, bent handles, or monogram removal reduce appeal.
3. Design quality: high-relief repoussé, crisp engraving, and enamel scenes can lift value.
4. Maker: known silversmiths and luxury retailers command premiums even on small spoons.
5. Subject/location rarity: niche destinations, fairs, and short-lived events are often stronger than common cities.

Real auction comps (what similar lots actually sold for)

Below are three concrete public-auction comps pulled from the Appraisily auctions dataset. These are hammer prices (before buyer’s premium), and they show the two big realities of the category: (1) mixed lots can be surprisingly affordable, and (2) enamel/sterling groups can jump.

How to use these comps for your own collection:

• If your spoons are all sterling and include enamel or high-relief decoration, you may be closer to the higher comp.
• If your group is mixed sterling + plate and has common destinations, pricing often looks like the lower comps.
• If you have a famous maker/retailer (Tiffany & Co., Georg Jensen, etc.), comps need to be maker-specific.

How to appraise a small spoon collection (a repeatable workflow)

1. Sort by marks first: sterling/925, .800/.830, and “EPNS/plate” into separate piles.
2. Weigh the sterling pile: total grams + per-spoon grams if possible.
3. Photograph every mark: take 2–3 angles; one will usually be legible.
4. Note repairs: solder lines, filled dents, and reinforced bowls matter.
5. Then research: destination, pattern name (if any), maker, and comparable sold listings.

If you’re preparing for insurance or estate division, a written appraisal should document each spoon individually with measurements and photos. For resale lots, a grouped valuation can be adequate if weights and fineness are clearly stated.

Selling antique souvenir spoons: what works best

The best selling route depends on whether your value is in the silver or the collectibility. If you suspect maker premiums or rare destinations, avoid bulk scrap pricing until you’ve done hallmark research.

• Best for higher-end pieces: specialist silver auctions, consignment with a silver dealer, or curated online listings.
• Best for mixed lots: estate auction houses and “group lots” with a clear weight/fineness note.
• When scrap is reasonable: damaged sterling with no collector demand, priced by weight.

Care and storage basics

• Store sterling in a low-humidity environment; anti-tarnish strips help.
• Avoid abrasive polishing on high-relief decoration (it can soften detail over time).
• Keep enamel away from harsh dips; use gentle cleaning.

References

• UK Hallmarking Council: basic hallmark education resources.
• Dutch hallmark databases and collector references (lion/city marks).
• Scandinavian silver fineness conventions (.830, maker initials).
• Appraisily auctions dataset (lots cited in the comps section above).