(1861-65) Brass Civil War Sutler Token UI-D-5Bc, Civil War Sutler Token , Wm, H. Jones

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by H. Jones. Struck in brass, this 5-cent token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. Sutler who issued brass tokens in 5-cent (S-K5B) and 50-cent (S-K50B) denominations. The name also appears as Wm. H. Jones on a separate listing (UI-D-5Bc), confirming this as William H. Jones. The RE prefix in the title is a parsing artifact from the original catalog transcription. This brass composition was typical of sutler tokens, as the alloy offered manufacturers an economical way to produce durable camp currency. Brass stock was available through commercial metal suppliers, making it the most accessible material for wartime token production. Struck during the period when the federal coin shortage drove widespread adoption of privately issued tokens in military camps. Of the three main Civil War token categories, sutler tokens are the least numerous, surviving in quantities dwarfed by patriotic and store card issues. Congressional acts in 1864 outlawed private coinage of all types, and the postwar reorganization of 1866 eliminated the sutler system in favor of government-run post exchanges.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman UI-D-5Bc. 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 UI-D-5Bc