(1876) White Metal Token NY-NY 746, T. Hoag

Coin Details

Description

Issued by T. Hoag during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this white metal token (NY-NY 746) advertises a general merchant operating from 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. This white metal piece reflects the standard production choice for Centennial merchant tokens, where the affordable tin-lead alloy enabled wide distribution to Exposition visitors. The Lingg brothers ran the most productive die-sinking shop in Centennial-era Philadelphia, cutting custom advertising dies for merchants across multiple trades. 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

NY-NY 746 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 746; PCGS #917489