(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 324, Pfaelzer Bros.

Coin Details

Description

This white metal token (Pa-Ph 324) was issued as a souvenir of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition. Issued by Pfaelzer Bros., this piece circulated among the nearly ten million visitors who attended the Exposition at Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. The white metal composition made this the most economical version of this merchant's Centennial token. White metal tokens survive in the largest numbers because they were produced and distributed in enormous quantities. Lingg & Bro. handled the bulk of merchant token production for the 1876 Centennial from their Philadelphia establishment. As historical artifacts, these tokens record the business names, locations, and trades of Philadelphia merchants during the Centennial year — information often absent from other surviving records. As both advertising and souvenir, these tokens gave merchants a marketing vehicle that visitors were motivated to keep rather than discard, ensuring the promotional message endured.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 324 in white metal is a collectible Centennial token. Availability depends on the specific die combination and metal composition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 324; PCGS #913749