Museum Archive: Vintage Johnson Silver Minnow, 3/5oz Gold fishing spoon #1559

Gleaming with a classic Gold finish, this specimen tipping the scales at 3/5 oz (17 g) represents a staple in any serious weed-bed angler's arsenal. Carrying the identification of Product Code 1559, the 2 3/4" (7 cm) spoon showcases the signature thick-centered geometry that stabilizes its path through dense vegetation. While the model is famously known as the Johnson Silver Minnow, this particular variant features a warm gold plating over its copper/zinc alloy body, providing a distinct flash for stained water. The integrated wire weed guard is a hallmark of Louis Johnson’s 1920 invention, designed to shield the single hook from snagging while remaining responsive to a strike. Stamped clearly on the reverse, its 'Made in USA' heritage marks it as a piece of vintage tackle from an era before production shifted overseas. The specimen's surfaces are exceptionally well-maintained, earning a solid 5/5 condition rating for its clean appearance and intact hardware. Its construction allows for the easy addition of a trailer without disrupting the intended balance, a technique often favored by those seeking to mimic the profile of distressed forage.