(1876) White Metal Token Pa-Sb 6, Simon & Oppenheimer

Coin Details

Auction Record

$408 MS63 04-12-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This white metal token () was issued as a souvenir of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition. This piece circulated among the nearly ten million visitors who attended the Exposition at Fairmount Park from May 10 to November 10, 1876. 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. The Lingg family firm supplied custom dies to Philadelphia merchants seeking affordable, portable advertising during the Centennial year. The appeal of Centennial tokens lay in their dual function — merchants gained advertising that traveled with visitors back to their home cities, while visitors acquired an affordable, lasting souvenir. 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.

Rarity Notes

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

Cross References

; PCGS #908421