The silver plate spoons could be used to eat with and may have some anti-microbial use.
“The pioneers who traveled west would put silver coins in their water barrels to keep the water from spoiling. Back before there was refrigeration, people would put a silver coin in their milk jugs to keep the milk fresh longer.”
Yeah...these were not silver. I found the silver. Before my sister did. There is one bonus to being the child that cleans out the house.