American silver made in the southern states is fairly rare in relation to silver made in the North. The South was more agrarian and did not possess the industrial capacity of the northern states and this proved a major factor in the outcome of the Civil War. Another reason for the scarcity of Southern coin silver is that during the Civil War much was melted down for the cause or later carried off by the Union troops as booty.
Much of the silver used and sold in the South was actually made in New York, Philadelphia and other northern silver centers and later retailed by southern silversmiths and jewelers. The Woodlawn Vase—later known as the “Preakness Trophy” (a replica of which is given to the owner of the Thoroughbred winner of the Preakness Stakes)—was made by Tiffany’s of New York in 1860. This was presented by Mr. Robert A. Alexander of the world famous Woodburn Farm near Lexington, Kentucky to the Woodlawn Association of Louisville Kentucky. During the Civil War it was buried to protect it from being melted down. In 1983 it was valued at over 1 million dollars and is America’s most valuable sporting trophy!
Coin silver actually made in the South is the most collectable. For those who have a historical link to their southern roots, silver is a way to express their love of beauty, heritage and a long but not forgotten lifestyle.
Is one Southern State more collectable or valuable then another? Only time will tell. Texas silver may well be the rarest and most sought after today, but every state has their collectors, historians and exponents.