(1876) Copper Token NY-NY 780A, Geo. E. Phelan

Coin Details

Description

Issued by Geo. E. Phelan during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this copper token (NY-NY 780A) advertises a billiard table manufacturer operating from New York City. Associated with the billiard equipment trade from the 1850s, issuing five Centennial token varieties. Brass variants survive in smaller numbers as higher cost limited quantities. Catalog numbers in NY-NY 780 place Phelan among mid-series New York issues. The copper composition provides a distinctive warm reddish color that develops an attractive brown patina over time. Copper Centennial tokens survive in moderate quantities. Lingg & Bro. supplied the majority of Centennial advertising tokens from their centrally located Philadelphia shop. The 285-acre Exposition in Fairmount Park showcased innovations from 37 nations, including Bell's telephone, the Corliss steam engine, and Remington's typewriter — technologies that would reshape American life.

Rarity Notes

Cataloged as NY-NY 780A, this copper variety has moderate availability among Centennial token collectors. Well-struck examples with full details are preferred by specialists.

Cross References

NY-NY 780A; PCGS #525332