Colonial Silver Spoon, Joseph Richardson c. 1780

Colonial America
Joseph Richardson Jr. Philadelphia "JR" Silver Table Spoon
c. 1780 Colonial Era Coin Silver Spoon, hallmarked "JR" and Engraved by Joseph Richardson, Jr., Used, Choice Extremely Fine.
This fine piece of Colonial Era Silver measures 7.25" long, and is monogrammed "M.C." and stamped twice on the back with the familiar "JR" (Joseph Richardson) hallmark. In numismatic circles, Joseph Richardson, Jr. is best known for his work on the Hand-engraved George Washington Indian Peace Medals. Pleasing in condition with a faint natural patina. Joseph Junior continued the tradition and was responsible for some of the 1793 and all of the 1795 Washington Indian Peace Medals - later, he became Assayer at the United States Mint. This circumstantial evidence indicates a close association with George Washington and David Rittenhouse, first Director of the U.S. Mint. Scarce and desirable being connected to one of America's greatest Colonial era silversmiths.
Joseph, Jr. came from a long line of Silversmiths. His father, Joseph, Sr. inherited his father's Silversmith shop in 1729 and became one of the leading Silversmiths of Philadelphia. Joseph, Sr. set an example that his son was later to follow by helping organize in 1756 the Friendly Americans for Regaining and Preserving Peace with Indians and he presented jewelry to Indian leaders.
Joseph Junior continued the tradition and was responsible for some of the 1793 and all of the 1795 Washington Indian Peace Medals - later, he became Assayer at the United States Mint. This circumstantial evidence indicates a close association with George Washington and David Rittenhouse, first Director of the U.S. Mint.