(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 960, Hughes House

Coin Details

Description

Hughes House issued this white metal souvenir token (Pa-Ph 960) as advertising during the 1876 Centennial. A Philadelphia lodging establishment near the Centennial grounds, with four varieties. Philadelphia hotels were chronically overcrowded by the ten million Exposition visitors. Tokens served as advertising and business cards for return visits. Hotels near exposition were chronically overcrowded. Among the available metal options, white metal provided the best value for merchants seeking maximum distribution, as its low cost enabled larger production runs. Manufactured by Lingg & Bro. of Philadelphia, whose workshop became synonymous with Centennial merchant token production during 1876. Local merchants viewed the Centennial as an unprecedented opportunity to advertise to visitors from every state and dozens of foreign countries, many of whom were visiting Philadelphia for the first time.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 960 in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. A Philadelphia lodging establishment near the Centennial grounds, with four varieties. Philadelphia hotels were chronically overcrowded by the ten million Exposition visitors. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 960; PCGS #600228