(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-4b-5B, Chas Stevens-Pilkington

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Charles Stevens, sutler to the 4th Regiment (variety b). Struck in brass, this 5-cent token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. Sutler whose brass 5-cent token (S-4b-5B) was manufactured by the die sinker Pilkington. Stevens's S-4b designation distinguishes him from E.W. Hamlin (S-4a) under the same regiment number, indicating sequential catalog varieties for the same unit. Dies were cut by Pilkington of Unknown. This brass composition was typical of sutler tokens, as the alloy offered manufacturers an economical way to produce durable camp currency. Brass planchets were procured through commercial metal distributors who supplied the broader token, button, and hardware manufacturing trade. Struck during the period when the federal coin shortage drove widespread adoption of privately issued tokens in military camps. The surviving population of sutler tokens is measured in the low thousands, a stark contrast to the abundant supply of patriotic and store card counterparts. Military authorities maintained oversight of sutler operations through the company council, which had the power to regulate prices and discipline merchants who overcharged soldiers.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-4b-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-4b-5B