(1876) Copper Token Pa-Ph 701A, A. Picard

Coin Details

Description

Issued by A. Picard during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this copper token (Pa-Ph 701A) advertises a general merchant operating from Philadelphia. A Philadelphia merchant with French surname, adding diversity to the predominantly Germanic names among Centennial token issuers, with four varieties across Pa-Ph 701-702. Brass tokens notably scarcer than white metal. French surname adds diversity to predominantly Germanic names. The copper composition provides a distinctive warm reddish color that develops an attractive brown patina over time. Copper Centennial tokens survive in moderate quantities. The Lingg firm's North 8th Street workshop handled orders from dozens of Philadelphia merchants, cutting individual obverse dies while reusing standard reverse designs. Centennial token collectors use the Rulau catalog numbering system, which identifies each token by geographic origin and assigns separate entries for different metal compositions of the same die pair.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 701A 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 701A; PCGS #525259