(1876) White Metal Token Ny-Ny 793, W. Pimmel

Coin Details

Auction Record

$100 MS64 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Issued by W. Pimmel during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this white metal token (Ny-Ny 793) advertises a general merchant operating from Philadelphia. A Philadelphia merchant with three Centennial token varieties. Three-variety program represents moderate investment. The white metal composition (a tin-lead alloy) made this token economical to produce in the large quantities needed for distribution to the massive Centennial crowds. Centennial merchant tokens overwhelmingly bear the workmanship of the Lingg firm, whose die-sinking expertise made them the default manufacturer for Philadelphia businesses. Local merchants viewed the Centennial as an unprecedented opportunity to advertise to visitors from every state and dozens of foreign countries, many of whom were visiting Philadelphia for the first time.

Rarity Notes

Ny-Ny 793 in white metal is encountered with moderate frequency in the Centennial token market. Condition census runs from well-worn to occasional choice examples.

Cross References

Ny-Ny 793; PCGS #907018