(1876) White Metal Token NY-NY 740, T. Hoag

Coin Details

Auction Record

$216 MS64 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This white metal Centennial token (NY-NY 740) was issued by T. Hoag, a general merchant of New York City. A New York City merchant who invested in five Centennial token varieties, indicating substantial marketing commitment to the Exposition. Five-variety series includes both standard and variant die combinations. New York catalog numbers (NY-NY 740) identify Hoag as out-of-state merchant. White metal production costs were a fraction of those for copper or brass, allowing merchants to spread their advertising budgets across greater quantities of tokens. Manufactured by Lingg & Bro. of Philadelphia, the die-sinking firm that dominated merchant token production throughout the Centennial season. Approximately ten million people visited the Centennial grounds in Fairmount Park during its six-month run, generating enormous demand for affordable keepsakes that merchants were eager to supply.

Rarity Notes

NY-NY 740 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. A New York City merchant who invested in five Centennial token varieties, indicating substantial marketing commitment to the Exposition. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

NY-NY 740; PCGS #525317