(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 226, Mule w/ Pa-Ph 262F Obv

Coin Details

Description

A white metal mule token (Pa-Ph 226), this piece was created by pairing the Exposition building reverse die showing Memorial Hall, the permanent art gallery structure and the die 262F. Lingg & Bro., the Centennial's principal token manufacturer, created these mule combinations by intentionally pairing dies from different token series. Die mules survive in smaller quantities than standard merchant issues, as they were produced deliberately for the collector market rather than for mass distribution. This white metal striking represents the most frequently seen composition among Centennial merchant tokens. The low production cost of white metal meant merchants could hand out tokens without concern for unit economics, treating them as disposable advertising. The standard reference for Centennial tokens uses the Rulau catalog, where tokens from different cities receive distinct prefixes (Pa-Ph, NY-NY, etc.) and each die/metal combination gets its own entry.

Rarity Notes

This mule variety (Pa-Ph 226) in white metal is uncommon. Die mules represent a specialized collecting area within the broader Centennial token series.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 226; PCGS #694561