1862 Token F-SNL-10b Brass Camp Shiloh

Coin Details

Auction Record

$600 AU55 08-25-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This brass token (F-SNL-10b) references Camp Shiloh, connecting it to the Civil War era. The Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) in southwestern Tennessee was one of the bloodiest engagements of the war, with combined casualties exceeding 23,000. Tokens referencing military camps and battles were produced as souvenirs, sutler tokens (for use at camp stores), or patriotic pieces. The SNL (Sine Nomine Loci — "without name of place") catalog designation indicates the token lacks a specific geographic attribution in the Fuld catalog. The brass alloy provided this token with a golden luster that differentiated it from common copper cents. Brass tokens were perceived as slightly more valuable than copper issues, making them more likely to be retained by recipients. American merchant tokens represent an important chapter in the economic history of the United States, documenting the businesses, products, and commercial practices of the 19th century.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more commonly encountered metal variants for merchant tokens.