(1863) Copper Civil War Sutler Token S-23-25C, 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 25-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. The copper composition gives this token a surface that ranges from bright original red to deep chocolate brown, depending on its storage conditions and handling history. Dated 1863, produced at the height of camp token usage before Congress moved to restrict private currency. Total surviving sutler tokens number in the low thousands, compared to the tens of thousands of patriotic tokens and hundreds of thousands of store cards that survive. Military regulations required sutlers to post their prices and submit to oversight by the regimental council of administration, which could revoke a sutler's license for gouging.

Rarity Notes

Schenkman S-23-25C. 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-23-25C