(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-C25B, J.L. O'Neal-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by J.L. O'Neal. This 25-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler whose tokens were manufactured by John Stanton of Cincinnati. O'Neal issued tokens in both copper and brass, indicating production across different periods or for different purposes. The copper 5-cent token (S-2a-5C) dates to 1861. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati, Ohio. Brass tokens dominated sutler currency production because the alloy combined reasonable cost with the physical durability demanded by camp circulation. Produced in the war years when soldiers and sutlers alike depended on token currency for everyday camp transactions. Sutler tokens survive in far smaller numbers than other Civil War token types, with total population estimates ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 pieces across all known varieties. Sutler pricing was subject to military oversight — the regimental council of administration reviewed charges and soldiers could formally protest what they considered unfair prices.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-C25B. 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-C25B