alderan33
Full Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2010
- Messages
- 249
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- Location
- Greenville, NC
- Detector(s) used
- Whites Spectra V3I
Garrett Pro Pointer
Minelab Etrac
- Primary Interest:
- Relic Hunting
Found this the other day. Needless to say I almost had a heart attack when I saw Lady Liberty staring up at me from the plug. Not a Double Eagle, but in my humble opinion, maybe something even cooler. This is a token for "J. Wanless & Co.", a sutler at Fort Sanders, D.T. which is in Wyoming but was, at the time, part of the Dakota Territory.
The back reads: "J. Wanless & Co. Fort Sanders D.T. General Wholesale & Retail Dealers."
I was able to find a record of a second identical token which was auctioned recently for $550. Here's the link to that item:
Fort Sanders,Dakota - Albany County - 1868 - J. Wanless & Co. Token *Territorial* : - Holabird-Kagin Americana
John Wanless fought in the United States Civil War for the Union Side. He was listed as being from United States Volunteers. He was a Lieutenant Colonel F&S in the 5th US Volunteer Infantry.
Here is some more information on J. Wanless from the "Papers of General Grant"
"I have the honor to introduce to your favorable consideration Col. John Wanless, late Lieut. Col. 5th U.S. Vols, Sutler at this Post since 15th January 1867. During the year 1866 Geo Wilson Jr. was Sutler here, but having rendered himself so obnoxious to the entire Command (by extortionate charges, disregard of orders and selling Three cent postage stamps for Five cents each) as to drive his trade from him, Col. Wanless purchased his entire stock and building and has since given general satisfaction to officers and men." telegram to U.S. Grant July 11, 1867
Thanks for looking. Happy Hunting
The back reads: "J. Wanless & Co. Fort Sanders D.T. General Wholesale & Retail Dealers."
I was able to find a record of a second identical token which was auctioned recently for $550. Here's the link to that item:
Fort Sanders,Dakota - Albany County - 1868 - J. Wanless & Co. Token *Territorial* : - Holabird-Kagin Americana
John Wanless fought in the United States Civil War for the Union Side. He was listed as being from United States Volunteers. He was a Lieutenant Colonel F&S in the 5th US Volunteer Infantry.
Here is some more information on J. Wanless from the "Papers of General Grant"
"I have the honor to introduce to your favorable consideration Col. John Wanless, late Lieut. Col. 5th U.S. Vols, Sutler at this Post since 15th January 1867. During the year 1866 Geo Wilson Jr. was Sutler here, but having rendered himself so obnoxious to the entire Command (by extortionate charges, disregard of orders and selling Three cent postage stamps for Five cents each) as to drive his trade from him, Col. Wanless purchased his entire stock and building and has since given general satisfaction to officers and men." telegram to U.S. Grant July 11, 1867
Thanks for looking. Happy Hunting
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Yes , Double Eagle obverse is Great . 
