(1876) Brass Token NY-NY 800B, Pruden's

Coin Details

Description

This brass Centennial token (NY-NY 800B) was issued by Pruden's, a general merchant of New York City. A NYC merchant who issued four Centennial token varieties with NY-NY 800 catalog numbers. Four-variety series represents targeted New York advertising. Brass for preferred customers white metal for general distribution. Brass tokens featured a distinctive gold-like appearance that elevated them above copper and white metal pieces in the Centennial souvenir hierarchy. Produced by Lingg & Bro., whose Philadelphia workshop turned out Centennial merchant tokens at an industrious pace throughout 1876. As both advertising and souvenir, these tokens gave merchants a marketing vehicle that visitors were motivated to keep rather than discard, ensuring the promotional message endured. As historical artifacts, these tokens record the business names, locations, and trades of Philadelphia merchants during the Centennial year — information often absent from other surviving records.

Rarity Notes

NY-NY 800B in brass is a collectible Centennial merchant token. A NYC merchant who issued four Centennial token varieties with NY-NY 800 catalog numbers. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

NY-NY 800B; PCGS #525358