(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 711, J. Reed

Coin Details

Description

Struck in white metal for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 711) was commissioned by J. Reed, general merchant of Philadelphia. A Philadelphia merchant who commissioned five Centennial token varieties spanning Pa-Ph 710-712 in standard and variant die combinations. Five-variety series includes standard and variant combinations. Pa-Ph 710-712 places Reed among mid-range entries. Struck in white metal, the tin-lead alloy most commonly used for Centennial tokens because its low cost allowed merchants to order large production runs for broad distribution. Lingg & Bro. dominated Centennial token production from their central Philadelphia location, producing merchant advertising dies at an output unmatched by any competitor. The Lingg establishment combined die-sinking craft with efficient production methods, enabling merchants to receive customized tokens in quantities ranging from hundreds to thousands of pieces.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 711 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. A Philadelphia merchant who commissioned five Centennial token varieties spanning Pa-Ph 710-712 in standard and variant die combinations. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 711; PCGS #786112