(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 210, Frederick Knoppel

Coin Details

Auction Record

$144 MS64 08-24-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Struck in white metal for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 210) was commissioned by Frederick Knoppel, pharmacy and apothecary of Philadelphia. Frederick's Pharmacy issued the most extensive single-merchant Centennial token series, with seven die and metal combinations. Fully spelled Frederick contrasts with abbreviated Fred-k on other dies. This white metal striking represents the most frequently seen composition among Centennial merchant tokens. Production economics favored white metal for promotional distribution, as merchants could order thousands of pieces without straining their advertising budgets. Dies were cut at the Lingg brothers' Philadelphia workshop, where the firm had developed efficient production methods for the high volume of merchant token orders. Centennial merchant tokens function as miniature time capsules, recording the names, products, and advertising claims of Philadelphia businesses that left few other traces in the historical record.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 210 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. Frederick's Pharmacy issued the most extensive single-merchant Centennial token series, with seven die and metal combinations. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 210; PCGS #525391