An exhibit of coin silver objects is on display this summer at the Washington Historical Museum. The Washington Historical Museum will have a special display of Georgia coin silver throughout the summer months. Coin silver is displayed from Georgia cities such as Athens, Macon, Savannah, and Washington.

Coin silver is silver coinage that was often melted down and made into useful objects. For the museum's display, the coin silver is mostly eating utensils.

The coin silver history begins with Will Parker, a trained silversmith, who arrived in Georgia on August 29, 1733. At this time, his occupation was not needed, but in the late eighteenth century it became very useful. In the late eighteenth century, Savannah and Augusta had become more sophisticated and needed silversmiths to make their eating utensils.

Southern coin silver is scarce, which makes Georgia silver very scarce, and coin silver made in Washington even scarcer. The price of coin silver can reach four figures, which makes collecting Georgia coin silver challenging. The scarcity and styles of the coin silver makes the challenge an enjoyable one.

For more information about coin silver or museum tours call 706-678- 2105.