(1876) White Metal Token NY-NY 744, T. Hoag

Coin Details

Auction Record

$100 UNC Details 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This white metal Centennial token (NY-NY 744) 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. Produced in white metal, reflecting the composition that accounts for the majority of surviving Centennial merchant tokens. Merchants could afford to distribute white metal tokens liberally because the per-piece cost was negligible compared to the potential advertising return. 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. Philadelphia's population effectively doubled during the Centennial's run, as nearly ten million visitors created a souvenir market that merchant tokens were perfectly positioned to serve.

Rarity Notes

NY-NY 744 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 744; PCGS #876129