(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token S-U100B, Rice & Byers

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Rice & Byers, sutler to the Unknown unit (FS designation). Struck in brass, this one-dollar ($1) token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. A sutler partnership whose tokens bear the designation FS (possibly a field station designation). Their tokens are known in 5, 25, and 50 cent denominations as well as a rare $1 piece. This brass composition was typical of sutler tokens, as the alloy offered manufacturers an economical way to produce durable camp currency. Brass planchets were procured through commercial metal distributors who supplied the broader token, button, and hardware manufacturing trade. Struck during the period when the federal coin shortage drove widespread adoption of privately issued tokens in military camps. 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. Most sutler tokens were produced by die sinkers in Cincinnati (John Stanton, James Murdock Jr.) and the Northeast (William Bridgens in New York, Koehler in Baltimore). Custom dies bearing the sutler's name and regiment were paired with patriotic or eagle reverses.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-U100B. 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-U100B