(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 96, J.H. Gercke, Holed

Coin Details

Description

Struck in white metal for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition, this token (Pa-Ph 96) was commissioned by J.H. Gercke, Holed, watchmaker and jeweler of Philadelphia. J. Henry Gercke token with a holed variety (Pa-Ph 96), pierced for suspension as a watch fob or pendant. Low catalog numbers (Pa-Ph 95-100) place Gercke near the beginning of the Rulau Philadelphia reference. Gercke lived from August 1837 to July 31, 1914, making him 39 years old during the Centennial year. 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. Centennial merchant tokens overwhelmingly bear the workmanship of the Lingg firm, whose die-sinking expertise made them the default manufacturer for Philadelphia businesses.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 96 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 96; PCGS #615249