(1876) Brass Medal J-UN-3, Rulau DC-27B, Army of the Tennessee

Coin Details

Description

This brass token (J-UN-3) was issued as a souvenir of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition. This piece circulated among the nearly ten million visitors who attended the Exposition at Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. Struck in brass (a copper-zinc alloy), a premium composition for Centennial tokens. The golden color made brass pieces stand out among the more common white metal and copper tokens. The die work originated from the Lingg establishment in central Philadelphia, which operated at peak capacity throughout the Centennial year to meet merchant demand. The Centennial drew nearly ten million visitors to Philadelphia between May and November 1876, a figure that transformed the city's economy and created a booming market for portable souvenirs. Merchants who issued Centennial tokens gained a portable advertising medium that visitors would carry home to cities across the nation, extending the token's promotional reach far beyond Philadelphia.

Rarity Notes

J-UN-3 in brass is a collectible Centennial token. Availability depends on the specific die combination and metal composition.

Cross References

Rulau DC-27B; PCGS #659547