(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 723, N.H. Rice

Coin Details

Description

This white metal Centennial token (Pa-Ph 723) was issued by N.H. Rice, a general merchant of Philadelphia. A Philadelphia merchant who issued five Centennial token varieties spanning Pa-Ph 720-723 and Pa-Ph 930, with dual catalog placement reflecting separate reference sections. Five varieties made Rice prolific among individuals. Dual catalog placement reflects separate sections. 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 firm that produced more Centennial merchant advertising tokens than all other manufacturers combined. The six months of the Centennial brought close to ten million visitors through the Fairmount Park gates, each a potential customer for the merchants and vendors surrounding the Exposition grounds.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 723 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 723; PCGS #669768