(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 991, Diertrich Knoppel

Coin Details

Description

This white metal token (Pa-Ph 991) was issued as a souvenir of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition. Issued by Diertrich Knoppel, this piece circulated among the nearly ten million visitors who attended the Exposition at Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. The white metal composition made this the most economical version of this merchant's Centennial token. White metal tokens survive in the largest numbers because they were produced and distributed in enormous quantities. Lingg & Bro. operated the largest Centennial token production facility in Philadelphia, serving merchants across the city. These tokens serve as a commercial directory of 1876 Philadelphia, preserving in metal the names, trades, and locations of businesses that have long since disappeared from the city's streets. Merchants who issued Centennial tokens gained a portable advertising medium that visitors would carry home to cities across the nation, extending the token's promotional reach far beyond Philadelphia.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 991 in white metal is a collectible Centennial token. Availability depends on the specific die combination and metal composition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 991; PCGS #600245