(1821) Copper Token Rulau-E Pa-398, Philadelphia Museum

Coin Details

Description

Early copper token from Charles Willson Peale's Philadelphia Museum, bearing the Rulau-E prefix denoting production during the founding era. Peale established America's first major museum in 1786, initially in his own home before moving to Philosophical Hall and then the State House (Independence Hall). Displays ranged from minerals and taxidermy to Peale's own portraits of Washington, Franklin, and other Founders. The obverse depicts a bust of Peale facing left with the legend CHARLES WILLSON PEALE FOUNDER 1784, engraved by Christian Gobrecht. The reverse reads PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM INCORPORATED 1821 ADMIT THE BEARER within a wreath. Pa-398 is a distinct die variety from Pa-395, cataloged separately as Julian UN-23, struck at a different point during the museum's production run at the Philadelphia Mint. Early American museum tokens are among the most historically significant pieces in American exonumia. Copper, 32mm.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Die variety of the Philadelphia Museum token series, distinguished from Pa-395 by obverse or reverse design details. The Rulau-E prefix marks this as an early American token. Fewer examples of Pa-398 have been recorded than Pa-395, making it one of the scarcer Peale's Museum issues. Sought by specialists in early American cultural tokens and Philadelphia numismatica.

Cross References

Rulau-E Pa-398; PCGS #930410