(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-B5B, H.D. McKinney

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by H.D. McKinney. This 5-cent brass piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler who issued brass 5-cent tokens. McKinney's name appears with slight spacing variants in different title records (H.D. vs H. D.), confirming these are the same issuer. Struck in brass, reflecting the standard material selection for military camp currency of this era. Brass tokens from this period frequently survive with readable inscriptions, a testament to the alloy's resistance to wear. Created during the period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps. Sutlers held official military licenses to operate as the designated civilian merchants within specific regiments, selling everything from tobacco to writing paper. Congress formally ended the sutler system in 1866, transitioning military retail to government-operated exchanges. Collectors classify Civil War sutler tokens by issuer, regiment, denomination, and metal composition. The Schenkman catalog, first published in 1983 and revised by Richard W. Irons, remains the standard reference for the series.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-B5B. 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-B5B