LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Feb Americana Grand Format Auction #659  / 

25266

1801 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #191

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
1801 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #191
<B>1801 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge. Number 191.</B></I> A slightly convex round tag with a hole at the top for suspension, 48mm. A "C. PRINCE" hallmark is found on the reverse denoting manufacture by Charles Prince, a local tinsmith. Prince was also the lamplighter for the city and a non-slaveowning member of the Methodist church. The elements on the obverse are as follows (top to bottom): "*CHARLESTON*" in a crescent-shaped bar punch; "No" in a square punch followed by an engraved "191"; "SERVANT" in a rectangular bar punch; and "1801" bar punched. The condition is extremely fine with smooth surfaces and a pleasing brown patina. <BR><BR>This is only the second year Charleston issued these slave badges, and an estimated 2373 were made. For some reason, Prince used different diameters for various occupations with his Porter badges much larger than the others possibly to make it easy to denote the difference from a distance. He was also the first to place the word "Charleston" on his badges. The beautiful condition and the rarity of this date make this an item suitable for the beginner as well as the most advanced collector.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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