(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Ph 99B, J.H. Gercke

Coin Details

Description

Issued by J.H. Gercke during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, this white metal token (Pa-Ph 99B) advertises a watchmaker and jeweler operating from Philadelphia. J. Henry Gercke (1837-1914), a Philadelphia watchmaker and jeweler of German heritage with tokens spanning Pa-Ph 95-100. Gercke lived from August 1837 to July 31, 1914, making him 39 years old during the Centennial year. As a watchmaker and jeweler, Gercke occupied a trade dominated by German-trained craftsmen in 19th-century Philadelphia. 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. Lingg & Bro. produced these dies from their Philadelphia shop, where they maintained an inventory of standard reverses that could be paired with custom merchant obverses.

Rarity Notes

Pa-Ph 99B in white metal is a collectible Centennial merchant token. J. Henry Gercke (1837-1914), a Philadelphia watchmaker and jeweler of German heritage with tokens spanning Pa-Ph 95-100. Most examples survive in VF to EF condition.

Cross References

Pa-Ph 99B; PCGS #694302