(1876) Brass Token Pa-Ph 842B, Burr & Witsil

Coin Details

Description

Struck in brass for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 842B) was commissioned by Burr & Witsil, dry goods and hardware merchants of Philadelphia. Philadelphia merchants who commissioned eight die varieties across multiple metals. White metal issues were most widely distributed as inexpensive keepsakes for ten million visitors. Multiple die combinations indicate an ongoing relationship with Lingg throughout the exposition season. 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. Manufactured by Lingg & Bro. of Philadelphia, the die-sinking firm that dominated merchant token production throughout the Centennial season. Collectors organize Centennial tokens by the Rulau catalog system, where each state prefix (Pa-Ph for Philadelphia, NY-NY for New York) is followed by a sequential number identifying the specific merchant or issuer.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 842B in brass is encountered with moderate frequency in the Centennial token market. Condition census runs from well-worn to occasional choice examples.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 842B; PCGS #876154