(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 227, Mule w/Pa-Ph 231 Obv.

Coin Details

Description

Struck in white metal, this die mule (Pa-Ph 227) pairs the die 227 with the Centennial commemorative die with Independence Hall facade. Lingg & Bro., the Centennial's principal token manufacturer, created these mule combinations by intentionally pairing dies from different token series. Mule tokens are generally scarcer than the standard merchant tokens from which their dies originated. White metal production costs were a fraction of those for copper or brass, allowing merchants to spread their advertising budgets across greater quantities of tokens. 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. Token varieties ranged from inexpensive white metal pieces distributed freely to visitors, through mid-range copper and brass issues, to rare silver presentation pieces for collectors.

Rarity Notes

This mule variety (Pa-Ph 227) in white metal is uncommon. Die mules represent a specialized collecting area within the broader Centennial token series.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 227; PCGS #694404