(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-F10B, L. Lang

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by L. Lang. This 10-cent brass token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. Sutler who issued brass 10-cent tokens (S-F10B). Like many sutlers with limited surviving documentation, Lang is known primarily through his token, which served as portable camp currency for purchasing provisions. The brass composition offered a practical balance of durability and cost, producing tokens that could endure the rough conditions of military camp commerce. Created during the period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps. 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. The sutler system gave licensed merchants a monopoly on camp commerce, and soldiers frequently complained about inflated prices. Congress limited debt collection to one-sixth of a soldier's monthly pay in March 1862.

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