(1861-65) Copper Civil War Sutler Token S-23-50, S Harvey Lewis

Coin Details

Auction Record

$604 MS62BN 08-18-2019 Heritage Auctions

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Harvey Lewis. This 50-cent copper piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. A Civil War sutler whose tokens survive in copper. The details of his specific regiment or unit assignment remain unidentified in published catalogs. Struck in copper, which produces a reddish surface that acquires a rich brown patina with age. Copper pieces generally survive in better condition than softer metals. Produced during the war years when sutler tokens served as essential camp currency across Union military installations. Sutlers operated under military license as the sole authorized civilian vendors within Union army camps, selling provisions, tobacco, stationery, and sundries to enlisted men. The federal government eliminated the sutler system entirely in 1866, replacing it with the post exchange system. 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-23-50. 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-23-50