(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-13-5B, G. H. Benedict

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by G.H. Benedict, sutler to the 13th Regiment. This 5-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler to a 13th regiment, issuing brass 5-cent tokens (S-13-5B). The 13th regiment number was used by multiple states; the specific state attribution depends on the full Schenkman catalog entry. Brass tokens dominated sutler currency production because the alloy combined reasonable cost with the physical durability demanded by camp circulation. Produced in the war years when soldiers and sutlers alike depended on token currency for everyday camp transactions. Across all varieties combined, sutler tokens survive in quantities estimated between 4,000 and 6,000 pieces — a tiny fraction of the Civil War token population. Military authorities maintained oversight of sutler operations through the company council, which had the power to regulate prices and discipline merchants who overcharged soldiers. 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-13-5B. All sutler tokens are rated R-5 or higher on the Fuld rarity scale (fewer than 200 surviving examples of any given variety). Brass strikes are common for sutler tokens. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 sutler token pieces survive across all varieties.

Cross References

Schenkman S-13-5B