(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-AE5B, G.P. Westcott-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by G.P. Westcott, sutler to the 16th U.S. Infantry (Regular Army). This 5-cent brass piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler to the 16th U.S. Infantry, a Regular Army regiment (not a state volunteer unit). The name appears as both G.P. and C.P. Westcott on different tokens, possibly reflecting a misreading of period script on the dies. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati. A Regular Army regiment that served throughout the war, distinguishing itself at Stones River and Chickamauga. Stanton produced dies in multiple denominations for each sutler client, typically offering 5-cent, 10-cent, and 25-cent pieces in brass. Manufactured in brass, which accounted for the bulk of sutler token production during the 1860s. Brass proved an effective striking medium, and tokens from this era often display remarkably well-preserved details despite decades of handling. Struck during the wartime era when sutlers relied on privately issued tokens to facilitate daily transactions with soldiers. The sutler occupied a unique position as a government-licensed civilian merchant embedded within a military unit, providing goods that supplemented standard army rations. The sutler system was officially abolished by Congress in 1866, concluding a chapter of military commerce that had existed since the Revolutionary era.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-AE5B. 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-AE5B