(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-61-10B, John Stanton

Coin Details

Auction Record

$720 AU58 04-03-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by John Stanton (Die Sinker). This 10-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Cincinnati die sinker who operated the largest Civil War token manufacturing enterprise. Along with employees James Murdock Jr. and William W. Spencer, Stanton produced tokens for approximately 440 merchants across 12 states. His signature reads JOHN STANTON DIE SINKER CINCINNATI. Generic sutler tokens bearing only his name without a specific sutler were produced as stock dies available for field use. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati, Ohio, the largest Civil War token manufacturer. 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 period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps. As artifacts of military commerce, sutler tokens connect collectors to the daily economic reality of Civil War camp life. The restricted circulation of sutler tokens within individual camps means each surviving piece is traceable to a specific military community.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-61-10B. 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-61-10B