(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-71-10B, W.W. Sibley & Co.

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by W.W. Sibley & Co., sutler to the 71st Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This 10-cent brass piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler firm serving the 71st Indiana Volunteer Infantry, organized at Terre Haute in August 1862. The regiment had a uniquely troubled history: nearly the entire regiment was captured at the Battle of Richmond on August 30, 1862, paroled, then captured again at Muldraugh Hill on December 29, 1862. On February 22, 1863, the 71st Indiana Infantry was redesignated as the 6th Indiana Cavalry. The conversion from infantry to cavalry after less than six months of service makes Sibley tokens extremely rare and historically significant, as they could only have been issued during the brief infantry period. Organized at Terre Haute in August 1862. Captured at Richmond and again at Muldraugh Hill. Redesignated as the 6th Indiana Cavalry on February 22, 1863 after less than six months of infantry service. Produced in brass, the workhorse alloy of Civil War-era private token manufacturers. The alloy produced sharply struck tokens that have held up well over more than a century and a half, with many pieces retaining fine detail. Struck during the period when the federal coin shortage drove widespread adoption of privately issued tokens in military camps.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-71-10B. 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-71-10B