Pewter is a soft, silvery metal made primarily from tin, mixed with small amounts of other metals like copper or antimony. For centuries, people used pewter to make plates, cups, candlesticks, and other household items because it was cheaper than silver but still looked elegant and polished.

Pewter has a distinctive dull shine, less bright than silver but warmer than plain gray metal. If you've ever seen old-fashioned tankards in a museum or antique shop, they were often made of pewter. Colonial American families commonly ate from pewter plates and drank from pewter mugs. Pewter objects can develop a soft patina over time, giving them an aged, historical look that collectors appreciate.

Because pewter is soft, craftspeople can shape it relatively easily, carving designs or casting it in molds. Toy soldiers were traditionally made from pewter, which is why collectors still call miniature figures “pewter miniatures” even when they're made from other materials. Today, pewter is still used for decorative objects, jewelry, and collectibles, prized for its traditional appearance and how easy it is to work with.