(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-41-5B, J.W. Mauzy-John Stanton

Coin Details

Auction Record

$630 AU55 06-16-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by J.W. Mauzy, sutler to the 41st Regiment. This 5-cent brass piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler whose brass 5-cent token (S-41-5B) was manufactured by John Stanton of Cincinnati. Mauzy's token shares the S-41 regiment number with J.C. Benton, indicating both sutlers served with units bearing the 41st designation (possibly the same regiment at different periods or different state regiments). Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati, Ohio. Manufactured in brass, which accounted for the bulk of sutler token production during the 1860s. Brass tokens from this period frequently survive with readable inscriptions, a testament to the alloy's resistance to wear. Struck during the wartime era when sutlers relied on privately issued tokens to facilitate daily transactions with soldiers. As artifacts of military commerce, sutler tokens connect collectors to the daily economic reality of Civil War camp life. These tokens passed through the hands of soldiers in specific military installations, creating artifacts tied to particular units and campaigns.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-41-5B. 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 S-41-5B