(1876) Copper Token Pa-Ph 990A, Dietrich Knoppel

Coin Details

Description

This copper token (Pa-Ph 990A) was issued as a souvenir of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition. Issued by Dietrich Knoppel, this piece circulated among the nearly ten million visitors who attended the Exposition at Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. 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 Fairmount Park grounds encompassed 285 acres of exhibition space where visitors could encounter the latest in industrial technology, fine arts, and manufactured goods from dozens of nations. These tokens serve as a commercial directory of 1876 Philadelphia, preserving in metal the names, trades, and locations of businesses that have long since disappeared from the city's streets.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 990A in copper is a collectible Centennial token. Availability depends on the specific die combination and metal composition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 990A; PCGS #525289