(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 486, A.J. Weidener

Coin Details

Description

Issued by A.J. Weidener during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this white metal token (Pa-Ph 486) advertises a general merchant operating from Philadelphia. A Philadelphia merchant of German-American heritage, with the Weidener/Widener surname common in the community. Weidener/Widener surname common among German-American community. Merchants on tighter budgets gravitated to white metal for its combination of acceptable appearance and significantly lower per-unit cost compared to copper or brass alternatives. Manufactured by Lingg & Bro. of Philadelphia, the leading token manufacturer serving merchants during the Centennial year. Centennial merchant tokens combined advertising with souvenir appeal, creating pocket-sized promotions that visitors retained as mementos long after the Exposition closed.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 486 in white metal is encountered with moderate frequency in the Centennial token market. Condition census runs from well-worn to occasional choice examples.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 486; PCGS #786111