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How to Identify a William Rogers Spoon

Being able to identify a genuine William Rogers spoon and spot a fake is a valuable skill for anybody in the antique silverware market. William Hazen Rogers was alive from 1801 to 1873. During his lifetime, he produced many silver spoons with the help of his brothers, Asa and Simeon, and later with his son, William Henry Rogers. Identifying William Rogers' spoons is relatively simple, thanks to the maker's mark that the silversmith left on his spoons. This mark can also be used to roughly date the particular spoon you are inspecting.

Instructions

- 1
  Find an old spoon with a mark that says "Wm. Rogers," surrounded by an eagle and a star; this is indicative of a spoon made between 1825 and 1841.
- 2
  Look for a "Rogers Bros." trademark to identify a spoon made by William Hazen, Asa and Simeon Rogers between 1847 and 1853. Check the back of the spoon for the mark.
- 3
  Locate a "Wm. Rogers and Son" mark on the back of the spoon, followed by a star, to identify a spoon that was made by William Haven Rogers and his son, William Henry Rogers, between 1856 and 1861. Check the front of the spoon for an emblazoned eagle and the name of a state; these spoons were part of the commemorative state series made after Rogers' death.
- 4
  Look for a mark that reads "1865 Wm. Rogers," which would be written horizontally on the back of the spoon.
- 5
  Find a "Wm. Rogers Mfrg Co" mark on the back of the spoon to identify it was made by Rogers and his son after 1865. Consult a professional if you are confused as to the probable age of the spoon.

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