Offered here is a very rare Sutler Token for the 7th Ohio Infantry. The thin brass disc measures approximately 1” in diameter. The front reads, “S. Hatch / 7th Reg / O. V. M. / 25 / Cents”. Reverse has fine raised lettering within a circle: “JOHN STANTON / STAMP / AND / CUTTER / * / CINCINNATI”.

Condition is very good for an excavated relic. Dark brown patina with small patches of light corrosion.

“Tokens” were privately minted and distributed in the United States between 1861 and 1864. The widespread use of these was a result of the scarcity of government-issued cents during the Civil War due to hoarding. “Sutler tokens” have the name of a particular army unit (usually a regiment) and the name of the specific sutler (a civilian merchant) who was contracted to do business with the regiment.

These private tokens became illegal after the United States Congress passed a law on April 22, 1864, prohibiting the issue of any one or two-cent coins, tokens, or devices for use as currency. On June 8, 1864, an additional law was passed that forbade all private coinage.

The 7^th Ohio Infantry was a hard-fought unit that was attached to the 5^th, 2^nd, 12^th, and 20^th Corps during its three years of service. This token was recovered at Chancellorsville.  [jet] [ph:L]

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