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

Coin Details

Auction Record

$216 MS64 08-23-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This white metal token (Pa-Ph 243) is a self-advertising piece by Lingg & Bro., the premier token manufacturing firm of the 1876 Centennial International Exposition. Operating from their Philadelphia shop at 36 North 8th Street, the firm produced the largest body of Centennial merchant advertising tokens, cutting dies for nearly every participating merchant. Unlike the merchant commissions that comprise most of their output, this token promotes the Lingg firm itself. 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. 304 Market Street placed them in the heart of Philadelphia commercial district. Between its May opening and November closing, the Centennial attracted nearly ten million visitors — more than the entire population of New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia combined.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 243 in white metal is a self-advertising piece from the Lingg & Bro. series (Pa-Ph 220-245). Collector interest is strong due to the firm's central role in the Centennial token series.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 243; PCGS #525244