(1883) Token GW-985, Zinc-Plated Copper Evacuation of New York

Coin Details

Description

This zinc-plated copper token cataloged as GW-985 commemorates the Evacuation of New York, produced circa 1883. The zinc-plated copper composition is unusual, combining a copper core with a zinc surface coating that gives the token a grayish, silvery appearance — brighter than raw copper but duller than true silver or white metal. This hybrid composition reflects the ingenuity of nineteenth-century token makers who experimented with surface treatments to create distinctive appearances at low cost. The Evacuation of New York theme celebrates November 25, 1783, when the last British forces departed Manhattan and Washington made his triumphal entry into the city. The GW-985 catalog number places this token among the broader group of 1883 Evacuation Day centennial pieces. Zinc-plated tokens are relatively uncommon in the Washington series and represent a distinctive material variety that attracts collectors interested in the full range of compositions used in American medal and token production.

Rarity Notes

GW-985, zinc-plated copper. Evacuation of New York. Unusual composition. Scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #655025; GW-985; Evacuation of New York, zinc-plated copper