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Joseph Richardson Jr. Made Coin Silver Tablespoon - JR Hallmarked

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:700.00 - 800.00 USD
Joseph Richardson Jr. Made Coin Silver Tablespoon - JR Hallmarked
Colonial America
Joseph Richardson Jr. Made Silver Tablespoon
c. 1790 Federal Period, Beautiful Large Coin Silver Tablespoon. Hallmarked and Made by Joseph Richardson Jr., Choice Very Fine.
This excellent, very high quality, Coin Silver Tablespoon is twice “J R” Hallmarked as being made by Philadelphia Silversmith Joseph Richardson Jr. with his merchant punch on the back side of the handle. This spoon measuring a large 7.5” in length and retaining excellent color and luster, having received very slight use. Engraved with the initials “SEH” in fancy script. Joseph Richardson Jr. was also the 2nd United States Mint Assayer from 1795-1831.
Joseph Richardson Jr. (1752 - 1831), was born in Philadelphia on December 4th, 1752. Richardson was a Philadelphia silversmith and son of silversmith Joseph Richardson Sr. His father was the engraver of medals for the Quaker Society, the 1757 Indian Peace medals and possibly also executed the Colonel Armstrong Kittaning medal. The younger Richardson, designed and engraved the oval shaped Indian Peace medals used during Washington’s Presidency, especially those used for the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. Richardson worked in both gold and silver and was in partnership with his brother, Nathaniel Richardson, from 1785 to 1791 in the firm of Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson. Later, he was in partnership with James Howell under the name of Richardson & Co. Richardson was also a well known Philadelphian Quaker.

After the death of Albion Cox, Charles Gilchrist, who provided the security for Cox, applied for the position of Mint Assayer. However, Richardson was appointed by President Washington on December 12th, 1795. He served faithfully in the position for the next 35 years and passed away while still in office, on March 11th, 1831.