(1876) White Metal Token NY-NY 736, Great Union Pacific Tea Co.

Coin Details

Description

Struck in white metal for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (NY-NY 736) was commissioned by Great Union Pacific Tea Co., tea merchant and grocery chain of New York City, at 77-81 Courtlandt Street. One of the largest tea distributors in the 1870s United States, using Centennial tokens as advertising premiums. Centennial tokens doubled as advertising for their mail-order tea business. Great Union Pacific Tea predated A&P but operated on a similar wholesale-to-retail model. Struck in the tin-lead alloy that constitutes the largest share of surviving Centennial merchant tokens. White metal's affordability removed the cost barrier to generous distribution, and merchants gave tokens to any visitor who entered their establishment. Lingg & Bro. produced these dies from their Philadelphia shop, where they maintained an inventory of standard reverses that could be paired with custom merchant obverses.

Rarity Notes

Cataloged as NY-NY 736, this white metal variety has moderate availability among Centennial token collectors. Well-struck examples with full details are preferred by specialists.

Cross References

NY-NY 736; PCGS #525316