(1861) Civil War Sutler Token S-97-10Cc, S. Whited & Co.

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by S. Whited & Co., sutler to the 97th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Struck in copper, this 10-cent token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. Sutler firm serving the 97th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Their 1863-dated 10-cent tokens feature an Indian Head obverse paired with a patriotic design, blurring the line between sutler and patriotic tokens. Participated in the Vicksburg Campaign and Sherman's March to the Sea. The copper composition gives this token a surface that ranges from bright original red to deep chocolate brown, depending on its storage conditions and handling history. Dated 1861, from the first year of the Civil War when the sutler token system was still being established. Sutler tokens rank as the rarest category in the Civil War token series, with far fewer surviving examples than either patriotic or store card types. Federal legislation in April and June 1864 banned private token production, and the sutler system itself was officially terminated in 1866.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-97-10Cc. All sutler tokens are rated R-5 or higher on the Fuld rarity scale (fewer than 200 surviving examples of any given variety). Copper strikes are common for sutler tokens. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 sutler token pieces survive across all varieties.

Cross References

Schenkman S-97-10Cc