(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 855, Wm. Burwell & Co.

Coin Details

Description

This white metal Centennial token (Pa-Ph 855) was issued by Wm. Burwell & Co., a general merchant of Philadelphia. Corporate form of the Burwell firm, with '& Co.' suggesting more formal structure than the family '& Bro.' form. & Co. suggests more formal structure than family & Bro. form. The white metal composition made this the most economical version of this merchant's Centennial token. White metal tokens survive in the largest numbers because they were produced and distributed in enormous quantities. Lingg & Bro. handled the bulk of merchant token production for the 1876 Centennial from their Philadelphia establishment. 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. 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 855 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. Corporate form of the Burwell firm, with '& Co.' suggesting more formal structure than the family '& Bro.' form. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 855; PCGS #694319