" During the 1870's, such tokens were reportedly used by Cavalry troops at Fort Larned (a.k.a. Camp Alert) in Kansas and recoveries indicate that they were issued &/or accepted at Indian Wars era posts farther West as well. Some of the tokens were holed or countmarked, perhaps to designate them for use by certain units. These differences do not affect the value, which is generally around $200-$300.

The Subsistence Department (later consolidated with the Pay and Quartermaster's Departments to form the Quartermaster Corps) provided food and other essential supplies. After the Civil War, and prior to the establishment of the Post Exchange (PX) system, it also offered officers and enlisted men various merchandise for private purchase at cost. A "ration" or daily allowance of food, as defined by the Army, supposedly consisted of large quantities of fresh and cured meats, bread, grains and vegetables, tea and coffee, salt and spices, and even candy, along with other personal items such as soap. At frontier posts, however, fare was often spare: bacon or salt pork, beans, hardtack and coffee. Occasionally, it might be varied with whatever wild game or other food could be scrounged from the surrounding countryside, but otherwise it was "subsistence," period."