(1876) White Metal Token Pa Ph-922, Shamgar S. Hand

Coin Details

Description

Shamgar S. Hand issued this white metal souvenir token (Pa Ph-922) as advertising during the 1876 Centennial. A Philadelphia merchant with a distinctive biblical name (from Judges 3:31) who issued five Centennial token varieties. Also appears as 'Shagmar' on some dies, a probable engraving error. Biblical name Shamgar from Judges 3:31. Shagmar variant may be die-engraving error. Struck in the tin-lead alloy that constitutes the largest share of surviving Centennial merchant tokens. White metal's affordability removed the cost barrier to generous distribution, and merchants gave tokens to any visitor who entered their establishment. The die work originated from the Lingg establishment in central Philadelphia, which operated at peak capacity throughout the Centennial year to meet merchant demand. The Rulau catalog assigns each Centennial token a geographic prefix and number — Pa-Ph for Philadelphia issues, NY-NY for New York — with separate entries for each metal variant of a given die.

Rarity Notes

Pa Ph-922 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

; PCGS #615251