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1805 Charleston PORTER Slave Hire Badge #388

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:625.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
1805 Charleston PORTER Slave Hire Badge #388
<B>1805 Charleston PORTER Slave Hire Badge. Number 388.</B></I> A slightly convex octagonal tag with a hole at the top for suspension, 55mm x 60mm. A "C. PRINCE" hallmark is punched on the back, likely for Charleston silversmith Charles Prince. The elements on the front are as follows (top to bottom): "CHARLESTON" in a crescent-shaped bar punch; "No" in a square punch followed by an incuse "388" in individual punches; "PORTER" in a rectangular punch; and "1805" bar punched (the 5 is lightly struck). This example, obviously excavated, has overall surface corrosion and a predominantly green patina with a couple of splits at the bottom edge with no loss of metal, still a desirable badge. <BR><BR>The <I>Charleston Times</B></I> notes that 1354 badges were sold in the fiscal year 1804-1805. Since no badges for 1804 have been confirmed, most of this total would have been dated 1805. This year (and the next) marked a change in the law and the dating method of slave-hire badges. From that point forward, they were issued to be worn for a calendar year, not a fiscal year.