(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 753, John H. Server

Coin Details

Description

John H. Server issued this white metal souvenir token (Pa-Ph 753) as advertising during the 1876 Centennial. A Philadelphia merchant who commissioned five Centennial token varieties spanning Pa-Ph 750-756, primarily in white metal with a notably scarcer Pa-Ph 756B brass variant. Pa-Ph 756B brass variant notably scarcer. Five varieties represent closely numbered die variants. 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. The Lingg brothers' workshop served as a full-service token manufacturer, where merchants could select from white metal, copper, brass, or bronze compositions for their customized advertising pieces.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 753 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 753; PCGS #876153