(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-Q25B, G.S. Maddy & Co.

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by G.S. Maddy & Co., sutler to the 84th Regiment (variety b). This 25-cent brass piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler firm whose tokens (S-84b-10B, S-Q25B) indicate service with an 84th regiment. Maddy & Co. issued tokens in 10-cent and 25-cent denominations in brass. Struck in brass, the alloy most commonly employed by sutler token manufacturers during the war years. The durability of the brass composition means that many surviving tokens retain legible inscriptions and identifiable design features. Issued during the Civil War era when federal coin hoarding created intense demand for privately struck camp currency. Civil War tokens are classified into three categories, and sutler tokens represent the rarest, surviving in far smaller numbers than patriotic or merchant store card issues. Twin Congressional acts in 1864 criminalized private token issuance, and the 1866 legislation that dissolved the sutler system rendered these tokens obsolete artifacts of wartime commerce. Collectors classify Civil War sutler tokens by issuer, regiment, denomination, and metal composition. The Schenkman catalog, first published in 1983 and revised by Richard W. Irons, remains the standard reference for the series.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-Q25B. 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-Q25B