(1876) Copper Token Pa-Ph 970A, Kelly's

Coin Details

Description

This copper Centennial token (Pa-Ph 970A) was issued by Kelly's, a restaurant and provisions dealer of Philadelphia. A Philadelphia restaurant or provisions establishment near the Exposition grounds that issued six token varieties. Six-variety series suggests thriving business from enormous foot traffic. Philadelphia taverns experienced unprecedented business. 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. supplied the majority of Centennial advertising tokens from their centrally located Philadelphia shop. The six months of the Centennial brought close to ten million visitors through the Fairmount Park gates, each a potential customer for the merchants and vendors surrounding the Exposition grounds.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 970A in copper is a collectible Centennial merchant token. A Philadelphia restaurant or provisions establishment near the Exposition grounds that issued six token varieties. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 970A; PCGS #525284