(1861) Copper Civil War Sutler Token S-N5C, G.W. Forbes

Coin Details

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by G.W. Forbes, sutler to the 23rd Regiment (state varies by catalog attribution). Struck in copper, this 5-cent token circulated as private camp currency redeemable for merchandise from the sutler. Sutler who issued copper tokens in 5-cent and 25-cent denominations. The 1863-dated 25-cent piece (S-23-25C) links him to a 23rd regiment. Forbes tokens survive in copper, a common but well-preserved metal for sutler pieces. Copper sutler tokens develop a distinctive patina over time, with surfaces progressing from original mint red through intermediate brown to deep chocolate tones. Dated 1861, from the first year of the Civil War when the sutler token system was still being established. Sutler tokens survive in far smaller numbers than other Civil War token types, with total population estimates ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 pieces across all known varieties. Federal regulations required sutlers to operate under the supervision of the regimental council of administration, which set price limits and could dismiss sutlers for overcharging.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-N5C. 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-N5C