American coin silver hollowware is a rather scarce commodity. Tea and coffee services, along with pitchers, mugs and cups are the most common . Any pre-1800 hollowware is a very scarce and true Colonial American silver is practically all museum quality. Condition is the most important aspect of collecting. If the piece was heavily restored, overly buffed or the mark unreadable, the silver content. may be the only value. The value of coin silver made in the Southern states has gone through the roof over the last few years.
Because coin hollowware is scarce you must be wary of European silver examples being passed off as American silver. Much of antique European silver has only a maker’s mark. This can lead to its misidentification of being Early American. In some cases European silver and unmarked American silver can be fraudulently re-marked.
