(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-55b-5B, M. Sullivan

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by M. Sullivan, sutler to the 55th Regiment (possibly Ohio, variety b). This 5-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler who served with a 55th regiment, distinguished from J.B. Spitzer (S-55a) by the S-55b Schenkman variety designation. Sullivan issued brass tokens in 5-cent and 25-cent denominations. The presence of two sutlers serving the same regiment number (but possibly different companies or time periods) is documented in the Schenkman catalog. 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. The War Department imposed price controls on sutlers through the regimental council system, giving soldiers a formal mechanism to challenge excessive charges.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-55b-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-55b-5B