(1876) Brass Token NY-NY 720B, Frederick's Pharmacy

Coin Details

Auction Record

$394 MS64 10-01-2024 eBay

Description

Frederick's Pharmacy issued this brass souvenir token (NY-NY 720B) as advertising during the 1876 Centennial. Frederick's Pharmacy issued the most extensive single-merchant Centennial token series, with seven die and metal combinations. Brass tokens for favored customers while white metal for general advertising. Seven-variety program is among the largest for any pharmacy in numismatic history. Brass Centennial tokens were typically reserved for preferred customers or sold at a modest premium over white metal pieces, resulting in smaller surviving populations. Dies were cut at the Lingg brothers' Philadelphia workshop, where the firm had developed efficient production methods for the high volume of merchant token orders. Lingg & Bro. offered merchants a complete token service — from die design through striking — and could produce orders in any of several metal compositions to suit different advertising budgets.

Rarity Notes

NY-NY 720B in brass is encountered with moderate frequency in the Centennial token market. Condition census runs from well-worn to occasional choice examples.

Cross References

NY-NY 720B; PCGS #525310