(1876) Brass Token Pa-Ph 861A, Cassidy's

Coin Details

Description

Struck in brass for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 861A) was commissioned by Cassidy's, restaurant or tavern of Philadelphia. A Philadelphia dining establishment with four varieties in Pa-Ph 860-869. Possessive suggests a neighborhood institution. Daily visitor traffic boosted local establishments. 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. Produced by Lingg & Bro., whose Philadelphia workshop turned out Centennial merchant tokens at an industrious pace throughout 1876. 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 861A 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 861A; PCGS #876362