(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 243, Holed, Lingg & Bro. Libertas

Coin Details

Description

This white metal token (Pa-Ph 243) was issued as a souvenir of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition. Issued by Holed, Lingg & Bro. Libertas, this piece circulated among the nearly ten million visitors who attended the Exposition at Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. The tin-lead alloy's affordability allowed even small merchants to commission token runs large enough for meaningful distribution during the Exposition's six-month run. Manufactured by Lingg & Bro. of Philadelphia, the primary source for custom merchant tokens during the 1876 Centennial celebrations. Merchants patronized the Lingg workshop because the firm handled every aspect of token production, from initial die design to final striking in the customer's choice of metal. The massive influx of Centennial visitors boosted Philadelphia commerce well beyond the Exposition grounds, benefiting hotels, restaurants, dry goods stores, and specialty shops across the city.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 243 in white metal is a collectible Centennial token. Availability depends on the specific die combination and metal composition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 243; PCGS #615248