(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 912, J.W. Gilbert's

Coin Details

Description

Issued by J.W. Gilbert's during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this white metal token (Pa-Ph 912) advertises a general merchant operating from Philadelphia. A Philadelphia establishment with four varieties in Pa-Ph 910-912. Numbering places these in white-metal merchant section. Pa-Ph 910-912 includes closely numbered variants. White metal pieces sat at the base of the Centennial souvenir pyramid, above only paper ephemera in affordability and below copper, brass, and the rare silver strikings in collector value. Made by the Lingg die-sinking establishment, which had positioned itself as the primary supplier of merchant tokens for the Centennial. Token varieties ranged from inexpensive white metal pieces distributed freely to visitors, through mid-range copper and brass issues, to rare silver presentation pieces for collectors.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 912 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 912; PCGS #903150