(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-11-5Ba, Bare & Rauch

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Bare & Rauch, sutler to the 11th Regiment (possibly Indiana). This 5-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler partnership whose brass tokens (S-11-5Ba, S-A10B) indicate service with an 11th regiment. The partnership format was common among sutlers, allowing shared capital and risk in the camp merchant trade. Brass tokens dominated sutler currency production because the alloy combined reasonable cost with the physical durability demanded by camp circulation. Created during the period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps. The sutler occupied a unique position as a government-licensed civilian merchant embedded within a military unit, providing goods that supplemented standard army rations. The postwar reorganization of 1866 abolished sutlers in favor of the post exchange system, marking the end of private military camp merchants. The sutler system gave licensed merchants a monopoly on camp commerce, and soldiers frequently complained about inflated prices. Congress limited debt collection to one-sixth of a soldier's monthly pay in March 1862.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-11-5Ba. 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 S-11-5Ba