ZAK’s General Grading Rubric for Spoons

May also be applied to Ladles

Plate 

Surface Detail 

Form / shape 

Best

Mint

Outstanding

The plate exhibits NO wear or loss.

Surface pattern is clear and well defined 

Original shape and form are present-the rim of the spoon is well defined and exhibits original dimension.

Excellent

There is no loss or the spot is smaller than 1/8” in diameter.

Surface detail is well defined re-plating of the surface may reduce contrast 

Original shape is intact.  

Good and presentable for 100+

Spoons may have a wear spot where the pieces rest on the table. The wear is less than 1/4 inch diameter on the back bowl of a spoon. 

Minor definition or loss of definition

There may be some minor shape wear on the outer spoon rim is worn in depth but retains good overall shape of the bowl.

Functional

Usable

The item may exhibit plate wear on the area where it rests on the table by more than 1/4 inch diameter.

May exhibit some minor loss of pattern definition, acceptable for age.

 Spoons may have minor loss of bowl rim but are still very functional. Shape loss does not exceed 1/16” range.

Crafty 

The plate wear is excessive and may be present both front and back and may exhibit pitting.

Definition of pattern exhibits wear, may have pitting or deep scratches.

Shape of spoon bowl is out of round the rim of the bowl is worn on one or more side. (beyond 9-12 range)