Price is for EACH, choose from under variations.
Photo 2-3, feature a spoon from England, heavy stainless, measures 4 1/2 in long, metal emblem affixed of castle and lion
Photo 4-5, feature a spoon from Utrecht, Holland, lighter stainless, measures 4 1/2 in long, end features crest and crown
Photo 6-7, feature a spoon that reads recuerdo de lignum crucis, I believe this spoon is either from Spain or portugal, made of Alpaca silver stamped on back (see details about alpaca below, measures 4 in long
Alpaca silver is a common name for a metal alloy, a combination of metals, of copper, nickel and occasionally other metals such as zinc, tin, lead or cadmium. The alloy also can be called nickel silver, German silver, new silver and paktong. It is used in a variety of manufactured commercial products, as well as in technical industries.
Alpaca silver was first used in China as a substitute for sterling silver. It made its way into Europe through traded goods, where it was marketed under the name of paktong or white copper. In the 18th century, several German companies adopted the use of a similar alloy, and in 1823 a competition was held to discover which alloy was the best silver imitation. Berndorf, a German manufacturer, sold their nickel silver products under the name Alpaca silver, and the term became commonly used throughout Europe. In 1840, a process called electroplating was developed, allowing a fine metal coating to be plated onto metal and non-metal object, which opened many new markets for nickel silver-plated goods.
For many years, this silver was a component in several European coins, including the Portuguese escudo and the German mark. With the shift in currency to the Euro, these coins are now effectively out of circulation. A form of the alloy is also used in the U.S. nickel, although the composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel is called copper-nickel in America.
Materials: metal, stainless, silver plate.
