(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-F10B, Frank's

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Frank's, sutler to the Unit unidentified. This 10-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler known only as Frank's, whose tokens bear non-standard Schenkman designations (S-A, S-F) suggesting uncertain regiment attribution. The possessive form of the name indicates an individual proprietor rather than a partnership. Frank's issued brass tokens in 10-cent and 25-cent denominations. Brass was favored by token manufacturers for its workability and longevity, yielding pieces that retained legible details even after extensive circulation among soldiers. Issued during the years when military camp commerce depended on private token currency to compensate for the federal coin shortage. Sutlers operated under military license as the sole authorized civilian vendors within Union army camps, selling provisions, tobacco, stationery, and sundries to enlisted men. The federal government eliminated the sutler system entirely in 1866, replacing it with the post exchange system.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-F10B. 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-F10B