The Story Behind the Stars
Where We Started
Cast iron has always played a part of American history, from wagon trails to open fires, and has always been a traditional heirloom. When we started talking about how to mark America's 250th anniversary at Smithey, we knew we needed to create a skillet worthy of the occasion.
Our product development team went to American coins for inspiration, drawn to the way they age wear in your pocket or wallet. A coin from 1857 looks different than one fresh from the mint, and that difference tells a story. Cast iron works the same way. We studied coins going back to 1787, from the Fugio Cent to the Flying Eagle Cent to the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, looking for a design that felt worthy of the occasion.
Finding the Eagle
One of the larger questions with this skillet was how to make the eagle feel both realistic and regal within the constraints of the casting process. We took realism to the next level when our founder Isaac began sending the team photos of bald eagles he'd spotted in the wild. Multiple iterations later, we had something that felt both accurate and regal.
Each Element is Meaningful
The thirteen stars represent the thirteen original colonies. The dates 1776-2026 mark 250 years. Nothing was added for decoration. Each element was considered for placement, scale, and how it would read once cast in iron.
Built to Be Used
The No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet cooks exactly like our traditional skillets.Bring it around the campfire and the table. Season it, use it often, and let it age as good cast iron does.
Cheers to 250 years!