(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 230, Mule w/Pa-Ph 231 Obv.

Coin Details

Description

This mule variety (Pa-Ph 230) in white metal results from the deliberate combination of the Centennial commemorative die featuring George Washington portrait bust with the Centennial commemorative die with Independence Hall facade. These mule combinations were produced by Lingg & Bro. of Philadelphia, who controlled the Centennial token dies and created these cross-die pairings as collector novelties. Mule tokens are generally scarcer than the standard merchant tokens from which their dies originated. Among the available metal options, white metal provided the best value for merchants seeking maximum distribution, as its low cost enabled larger production runs. Philadelphia's population effectively doubled during the Centennial's run, as nearly ten million visitors created a souvenir market that merchant tokens were perfectly positioned to serve.

Rarity Notes

This mule variety (Pa-Ph 230) in white metal is uncommon. Die mules represent a specialized collecting area within the broader Centennial token series.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 230; PCGS #694448