(1861) Copper Civil War Sutler Token S-A25C, P. Hoddy & Co.-John Stanton

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by P. Hoddy & Co.. This 25-cent copper piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions and sundries at the sutler's traveling store. Sutler firm whose tokens were manufactured by John Stanton of Cincinnati. P. Hoddy & Co. issued copper tokens in 25-cent denominations. The partnership format suggests a commercial operation supplying goods to soldiers in the field. 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. These tokens preserve a record of the commercial relationships between soldiers and the civilian merchants who served them. Individual tokens circulated within specific military camps, linking surviving pieces to particular regiments and their wartime experiences.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-A25C. 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-A25C