(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-D5B, Sutlers Check-John Stanton

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 XF Details 03-31-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Sutlers Check (John Stanton stock die). This 5-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Generic sutler check tokens produced by John Stanton of Cincinnati using stock dies. These pieces bear the legend SUTLERS CHECK without naming a specific sutler or regiment, serving as ready-made camp currency that any sutler could purchase and put into circulation. Stock dies reduced costs and production time compared to custom dies engraved with individual names. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati, Ohio. The choice of brass reflected practical manufacturing considerations — the alloy struck cleanly from dies, resisted environmental damage, and cost less to produce than copper or silver. Created during the period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps. These tokens preserve a record of the commercial relationships between soldiers and the civilian merchants who served them. Tokens from individual sutlers circulated in defined military communities, making each surviving piece an artifact of a specific regiment.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-D5B. 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-D5B