(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 880, I.L. Cragin & Co.

Coin Details

Description

This white metal Centennial token (Pa-Ph 880) was issued by I.L. Cragin & Co., a merchants of Philadelphia. Philadelphia merchants with three varieties spanning Pa-Ph 880-888, a wide catalog range suggesting multiple production batches. Pa-Ph 880-888 spans nine catalog numbers. White metal's low material cost made it the practical choice for merchants wanting to distribute tokens broadly among the Centennial's enormous visitor base. Philadelphia die sinkers Lingg & Bro. produced the vast majority of merchant advertising tokens for the 1876 Centennial, serving clients from diverse commercial trades. Memorial Hall, the Exposition's permanent art gallery, was the only major building designed to survive the fair and remains standing in Fairmount Park as a lasting architectural legacy of the Centennial.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 880 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. Philadelphia merchants with three varieties spanning Pa-Ph 880-888, a wide catalog range suggesting multiple production batches. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 880; PCGS #525277