(1876) Copper Token Pa Ph-922A, Shamgar S. Hand

Coin Details

Description

Shamgar S. Hand issued this copper souvenir token (Pa Ph-922A) as advertising during the 1876 Centennial. A Philadelphia merchant with a distinctive biblical name (from Judges 3:31) who issued five Centennial token varieties. Also appears as 'Shagmar' on some dies, a probable engraving error. Five varieties span both spellings. Biblical name Shamgar from Judges 3:31. Copper was a favored composition for merchants willing to invest more than the minimum white metal cost, producing tokens with a warmer color and greater durability. The Lingg firm's North 8th Street workshop handled orders from dozens of Philadelphia merchants, cutting individual obverse dies while reusing standard reverse designs. 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

Cataloged as Pa Ph-922A, this copper variety has moderate availability among Centennial token collectors. Well-struck examples with full details are preferred by specialists.

Cross References

; PCGS #876364