Museum Archive: Vintage Al's gold fish, 3/16oz Copper fishing spoon #3243

Stamping on the reverse of this 3/16 oz (4.5 g) spoon reads "AL'S GOLDFISH PAT. 2,542,606," identifying its legacy as a quintessential American-made lure. Measuring 1 1/2" (4 cm), this copper specimen features a stamped scale pattern and gill detail that gives the metal body a lifelike profile. This specific item, identified by product code 3243, retains a bright, clean finish and is equipped with a silver-colored treble hook attached by a split ring. Originally designed in 1952, Al's Goldfish became so widely respected for its effectiveness that Field and Stream magazine named it one of the top fifty lures ever made. The construction is straightforward and robust, designed for casting into freshwater streams or lakes. The preservation of the copper plating is excellent, earning this lure a condition rating of 5/5.