(1861) Copper Civil War Sutler Token S-40-25C, H.H. Beecher & Co.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,020 MS62BN 06-16-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by H.H. Beecher & Co., sutler to the 40th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. This 25-cent copper piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler firm serving the 40th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, organized at Springfield, Illinois. Beecher issued copper 25-cent tokens (S-40-25C dated 1861). A separate brass token (S-H10B) bears both Beecher's name and John Stanton's die sinker mark, confirming Cincinnati manufacture for at least part of the series. Organized at Springfield, Illinois. Served in the Western Theater. Dies were cut by John Stanton of Cincinnati, Ohio. 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. Dated 1861, produced early in the war before token usage became widespread in military camps.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-40-25C. 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-40-25C