Spaulding & Co Zodiac Plate from Goodwill

[ckpage86]

So, today I found my first sterling at the local Goodwill. I never thought to look for these things until I joined this forum. Anyway, I found this awesome looking Spaulding & Co Zodiac plate. It has zodiac symbols all around the rim. I did a little bit of Googling, and found Spaulding & Co was out of Chicago in the late 1800s, and also operated in France, so I am guessing this plate might have some years on it.

I weighed it when I got home and it came in at 6.2oz, or 5.65 troy oz. I figure for $1.99 I did good? Anyone ever seen one of these? It is a pretty neat piece.

 

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[Lost&Found]

Nice find. The marks makes me think that the plate was manufactured by Gorham.

Gorham Silver Marks & Dates - Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

 

[ckpage86]

Thanks for the link! That definitely helps. I wasn't sure what those symbols meant on the back side. I ended up searching for Gorham Zodiac and I get a lot of hits on the ole inter webs. Thanks again.

 

[ckpage86]

Update: The plate is from 1908. I finally found the hallmark in the list. That's an old plate. Thanks again for the link L&F!

 

[wavecrazed]

I Rembert finding a sterling bowl at garage sale. Paid 10 for it. It was worth 145 in melt value!

 

[ckpage86]

I Rembert finding a sterling bowl at garage sale. Paid 10 for it. It was worth 145 in melt value!

My wife was like "Why are you buying a plate? " I said, "This is sterling, most likely worth wayyyyy more than $1.99 "

Looks to be about $90 in melt value. Bada bing.

 

[JimDon]

Great score! Keep going back to that Goodwill because clearly they're not checking for Sterling marks

 

[Sodapop]

I'd say you "did good". Nice find.

 

[Spartcom5]

Polish it up! (safely) and maybe display it instead of selling (if you were planning on selling)? Looks like a great piece! I personally hate to scrap anything that I feel is better than scrap. Unless it's damaged and in really bad shape! All those animals on the side is awesome.... such good craftsmanship for being so old wow. Plus I'm a sucker for anything with animals lol, Don't scrap!

 

[tamrock]

Good recovery.

 

[ckpage86]

Polish it up! (safely) and maybe display it instead of selling (if you were planning on selling)? Looks like a great piece! I personally hate to scrap anything that I feel is better than scrap. Unless it's damaged and in really bad shape! All those animals on the side is awesome.... such good craftsmanship for being so old wow. Plus I'm a sucker for anything with animals lol, Don't scrap!

I don't really have plans for it. Just figured it was a safe buy for the price. I have it stashed away in a box in my closet right now. Perhaps I will clean it up, and use it to hold my guitar picks? It looks nice on my desk.