(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-1c-10B, R.R. Landon

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by R.R. Landon, sutler to the 1st Regiment U.S. Mounted Forces. This 10-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler to the 1st Regiment U.S. Mounted Forces, a unit whose exact identity is debated among numismatists. The USMF designation has been interpreted as United States Mounted Forces or possibly United States Marine Forces. Dies were cut by S.D. Childs of Chicago. His 5-cent token has only 2-4 known survivors. A 10-cent brass token (US-1c-10B, R8) graded PCGS AU50 sold at Heritage Auctions from the Steve Tanenbaum Collection. Landon's tokens are among the most sought-after sutler issues due to the unit's uncertain identity and the extreme rarity of surviving examples. S.D. Childs maintained his die-cutting and printing establishment at 117-1/2 Randolph Street in Chicago, serving both military and commercial clients throughout the war. The brass composition offered a practical balance of durability and cost, producing tokens that could endure the rough conditions of military camp commerce. Created during the wartime period when sutler tokens became indispensable for commercial transactions in army camps.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-1c-10B. 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-1c-10B