(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-O25B, F.A. Packard-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by F.A. Packard. 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. Packard issued brass tokens in 10-cent and 25-cent denominations. 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. Struck during the period when the federal coin shortage drove widespread adoption of privately issued tokens in military camps. 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. 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-O25B. 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-O25B