(1876) Brass Token Pa-Ph 271B, Malseed & Hawkins

Coin Details

Description

Struck in brass for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 271B) was commissioned by Malseed & Hawkins, dry goods merchants of Philadelphia. Philadelphia dry goods merchants connected to the expanded partnership Fries, Malseed & Hawkins. Dual listing suggests partnership change. Five varieties placed them mid-tier among issuers. 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. Lingg & Bro. ran the primary token manufacturing operation for Philadelphia's Centennial merchant community. Memorial Hall, the Exposition's permanent art gallery, was the only major building designed to survive the fair and remains standing in Fairmount Park as a lasting architectural legacy of the Centennial.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 271B in brass is a collectible Centennial merchant token. Philadelphia dry goods merchants connected to the expanded partnership Fries, Malseed & Hawkins. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 271B; PCGS #669872