(1876) Brass Token Pa-Ph 257B, Lingg & Co

Coin Details

Auction Record

$144 MS64 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Struck in brass, this token (Pa-Ph 257B) was issued by Lingg & Bro. to advertise their own die sinking and token manufacturing services during the 1876 Centennial. Based at 36 North 8th Street in Philadelphia, the Lingg brothers were the principal suppliers of souvenir advertising tokens to merchants exhibiting at the Centennial Exposition. This piece is one of their own advertising series (Pa-Ph 220-245), distinct from the merchant tokens they produced on commission. Brass Centennial tokens were typically reserved for preferred customers or sold at a modest premium over white metal pieces, resulting in smaller surviving populations. Over 40 distinct Lingg dies make this the most prolific single-manufacturer Centennial token series. Philadelphia's 1876 Centennial was the nation's inaugural World's Fair, conceived as both a patriotic celebration of independence and a demonstration of American industrial capability.

Rarity Notes

Cataloged as Pa-Ph 257B, this brass Lingg self-promotional token is moderately available. The Lingg advertising series has a dedicated following among Centennial token specialists.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 257B; PCGS #908423