(1862) Bronze Civil War Sutler Token SCH-MO-19, Maj. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,160 MS64RB 04-13-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War sutler token issued by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan. This bronze piece functioned as camp scrip, exchangeable for provisions at the sutler's traveling store. Token honoring Major General George Brinton McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac from November 1861 to November 1862 and the 1864 Democratic presidential candidate. McClellan sutler-classified tokens (Schenkman MO-19) occupy a gray area between sutler tokens and patriotic tokens, using the general's image and name as a commercial or political motif. Bronze (a copper-tin alloy) is less common than brass for sutler tokens, producing pieces with a darker surface color. Dated 1862, produced during the period when federal coin hoarding created severe currency shortages in military camps. 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 SCH-MO-19. All sutler tokens are rated R-5 or higher on the Fuld rarity scale (fewer than 200 surviving examples of any given variety). Bronze strikes are less common for sutler tokens. An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 sutler token pieces survive across all varieties.

Cross References

Schenkman SCH-MO-19