Early Mexican Serafin Moctezuma Silver Eagle Pin I purchased for my own personal collection from a dealer that is one of the most knowledgable people when it comes to Mexican Silver Jewelry. Here is her exact discription of the unique piece.


"From the hallmark of Moctezuma … Here is a superb vintage silver pin crafted by a most interesting and, some might say, notorious Taxco silversmith, Serafin Moctezuma. A contemporary of the "Father of Taxco Silver," William Spratling, Moctezuma was also the maestro’s nemesis. Spratling believed Moctezuma was pirating his designs and mimicking his hallmark, and filed a federal complaint against him. Indeed, Serafin Moctezuma’s signature—a conjoined SM—appears very similar to Spratling’s when viewed upside-down. And though Moctezuma was a skillful silversmith in his own right, this work, now offered for your consideration, proves that the maestro’s concerns were more than justified!

A direct steal from Spratling’s "Flying Eagle" pin {First Design Period 1931-1946}, this wonderful piece, with its pre-Hispanic motif, boasts superb cutwork, incising, and silver appliqué. But what gives it its singular collectability is Moctezuma’s personal tweaking: a fine silver rope surround to border the center hemisphere, flat chasing {as seen in many early Spratling works} … and the addition of a long tongue sticking out of the eagle’s mouth—a sly gesture most likely directed at William Spratling himself! Hallmarks: 980 {intaglio}, SM {conjoined}, TAXCO. Dimensions: 2" x 1-7/8". Condition: Dating from the 1930’s to mid-1940’s, the pin is in fine vintage condition, including an intact old-style C-clasp. Book References: There is a discussion of Serafin Moctezuma, accompanied by photos of his work and hallmark, in Chapter III, "William Spratling Las Delicias," in Morrill and Berk’s Mexican Silver, 3rd Edition. Moctezuma is also featured in Hougart’s The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks, as well as cited in Romero’s Warman’s Jewelry."