(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token FS-5B, Rice & Byers

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Rice & Byers, sutler to the Unknown unit (FS designation). Struck in brass, this 5-cent token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. A sutler partnership whose tokens bear the designation FS (possibly a field station designation). Their tokens are known in 5, 25, and 50 cent denominations as well as a rare $1 piece. This brass composition was typical of sutler tokens, as the alloy offered manufacturers an economical way to produce durable camp currency. Brass planchets were procured through commercial metal distributors who supplied the broader token, button, and hardware manufacturing trade. Struck during the wartime era when sutlers relied on privately issued tokens to facilitate daily transactions with soldiers. Sutlers held official military licenses to operate as the designated civilian merchants within specific regiments, selling everything from tobacco to writing paper. Congress formally ended the sutler system in 1866, transitioning military retail to government-operated exchanges. Most sutler tokens were produced by die sinkers in Cincinnati (John Stanton, James Murdock Jr.) and the Northeast (William Bridgens in New York, Koehler in Baltimore). Custom dies bearing the sutler's name and regiment were paired with patriotic or eagle reverses.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman FS-5B. All sutler tokens are rated R-5 or higher on the Fuld rarity scale (fewer than 200 surviving examples of any given variety). In brass, this variety falls within the common range for the series. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 sutler token pieces survive across all varieties.

Cross References

Schenkman FS-5B