(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-61-25B, OH Volunteers-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Ohio Volunteers (John Stanton die), sutler to the Ohio Volunteer unit (specific regiment unidentified). This 25-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler token for an Ohio Volunteer unit, with dies cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati. The S-61 Schenkman number suggests the 61st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which served in the Army of the Cumberland in the Western Theater. Ohio contributed more sutlers than any other state during the Civil War. Served in the Army of the Cumberland in the Western Theater. Stanton's workshop in Cincinnati was the primary source of sutler token dies for Western Theater regiments, and his output dwarfed that of all other military token die sinkers. Brass tokens dominated sutler currency production because the alloy combined reasonable cost with the physical durability demanded by camp circulation. Manufactured during the peak years of sutler token production, when camp commerce required a reliable medium of exchange. Sutler tokens occupy a unique position in American numismatics, documenting both military service and wartime commercial enterprise. Each token circulated among soldiers of a specific regiment, giving surviving pieces a direct connection to identifiable military units.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-61-25B. 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-61-25B