(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-16-5Bb, G.P. Westcott-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by G.P. Westcott, sutler to the 16th U.S. Infantry (Regular Army). This 5-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler to the 16th U.S. Infantry, a Regular Army regiment (not a state volunteer unit). The name appears as both G.P. and C.P. Westcott on different tokens, possibly reflecting a misreading of period script on the dies. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati. A Regular Army regiment that served throughout the war, distinguishing itself at Stones River and Chickamauga. Stanton's workshop in Cincinnati was the primary source of sutler token dies for Western Theater regiments, and his output dwarfed that of all other military token die sinkers. The choice of brass reflected practical manufacturing considerations — the alloy struck cleanly from dies, resisted environmental damage, and cost less to produce than copper or silver. Created during the period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps. Sutler tokens occupy a unique position in American numismatics, documenting both military service and wartime commercial enterprise. Each token circulated among soldiers of a specific regiment, giving surviving pieces a direct connection to identifiable military units.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-16-5Bb. 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-16-5Bb