(1876) Copper Token Pa-Ph 205, John W. Kline

Coin Details

Auction Record

$265 MS62BN 05-26-2024 eBay

Description

This copper Centennial token (Pa-Ph 205) was issued by John W. Kline, a general merchant of Philadelphia. A Philadelphia merchant who commissioned three Centennial token varieties from Lingg. Three-variety series in Pa-Ph 206 represents modest advertising. Copper tokens were a popular mid-range choice for Centennial souvenirs, offering durability and an attractive reddish tone that distinguished them from the more common white metal issues. Lingg & Bro. produced tokens for more Centennial merchants than any other die-sinking firm in the region. The Lingg firm's comprehensive service included die cutting, metal selection, and striking, allowing merchants to order complete runs of customized tokens in their preferred compositions. The Rulau catalog assigns each Centennial token a geographic prefix and number — Pa-Ph for Philadelphia issues, NY-NY for New York — with separate entries for each metal variant of a given die.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 205 in copper is encountered with moderate frequency in the Centennial token market. Condition census runs from well-worn to occasional choice examples.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 205; PCGS #525386