(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-L5B, W.W. Sherwood-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by W.W. Sherwood. Struck in brass, this 5-cent token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. Sutler whose brass 5-cent token (S-L5B) was manufactured by John Stanton of Cincinnati. Sherwood's token shares the S-L Schenkman prefix with A.A. Lamb, suggesting a catalog sequence rather than a shared regiment. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati, Ohio. Most sutler tokens were produced in brass, and this piece reflects the standard material choice of wartime token manufacturers. The brass stock came from established commercial suppliers, the same firms that provided blanks for buttons, badges, and other stamped metal goods. Issued during the years when military camp commerce depended on private token currency to compensate for the federal coin shortage. Sutler tokens occupy a unique position in American numismatics, documenting both military service and wartime commercial enterprise. The restricted circulation of sutler tokens within individual camps means each surviving piece is traceable to a specific military community.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-L5B. 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-L5B