(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 316, Penn Mutual Life Ins. Company

Coin Details

Description

This white metal Centennial token (Pa-Ph 316) was issued by Penn Mutual Life Ins. Company, a life insurance company of Philadelphia. The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, founded in 1847, was one of Philadelphia's most prominent financial institutions and remains operating in the 21st century. Founded 1847 nearly thirty years old at the Centennial. Brass tokens (Pa-Ph 316H) represent premium corporate distribution. White metal formed the foundation of the Centennial token market, with copper, brass, and bronze pieces commanding progressively higher values both at issuance and in the modern collector market. Manufactured by the Lingg firm, the dominant producer of merchant tokens during the 1876 Centennial season. Spread across 285 acres of Fairmount Park, the Centennial featured 37 participating nations and tens of thousands of exhibits ranging from fine art to industrial machinery to agricultural innovations.

Rarity Notes

Cataloged as Pa-Ph 316, this white metal variety has moderate availability among Centennial token collectors. Well-struck examples with full details are preferred by specialists.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 316; PCGS #525251