(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 740, C.B. Scott& Co.

Coin Details

Description

Struck in white metal for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 740) was commissioned by C.B. Scott& Co., stamp and coin dealer of New York City. J. Walter Scott, a prominent NYC stamp and coin dealer who published the Scott Stamp Catalogue, recognizing the souvenir token as a future collectible. Missing space documents 19th-century die-sinking realities. The white metal composition (a tin-lead alloy) made this token economical to produce in the large quantities needed for distribution to the massive Centennial crowds. Lingg & Bro. dominated Centennial token production from their central Philadelphia location, producing merchant advertising dies at an output unmatched by any competitor. Businesses along the routes between downtown Philadelphia and Fairmount Park saw extraordinary traffic during the Centennial months, as millions of visitors passed through on their way to the Exposition.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 740 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. J. Walter Scott, a prominent NYC stamp and coin dealer who published the Scott Stamp Catalogue, recognizing the souvenir token as a future collectible. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 740; PCGS #525265