(1861-65) Civil War Sutler Token S-54-3B, J.A. Garman

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by J.A. Garman, sutler to the 54th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. This 3-cent copper token served as camp currency, redeemable for goods at the sutler's field store. The most prolific sutler token issuer of the Civil War, producing tokens in six denominations (3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 cents) — more than any other sutler. The 100-cent ($1) piece is the highest denomination known for any sutler token. His tokens are the most common and widely collected of all sutler issues. Some 5- and 10-cent pieces bear an "X" counterstamp after the final zero, a device believed to prevent fraudulent addition of zeros to inflate the denomination. Served in the Army of the Potomac and saw action in the Peninsula Campaign and at Antietam. Copper was the second most common metal for sutler tokens, producing pieces with a distinctive reddish surface that often tones to brown over time. Created during the period of widespread private coinage that arose from the federal coin shortage affecting military camps.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-54-3B. All sutler tokens are rated R-5 or higher on the Fuld rarity scale (fewer than 200 surviving examples of any given variety). In copper, 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-54-3B