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

25267

1806 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #169

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:625.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1806 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #169
<B>1806 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge. Number 169.</B></I> A slightly convex octagonal-shaped tag with a hole at the top for suspension, 57mm x 61mm. There is a very clear and distinct "C. PRINCE" hallmark punched on the reverse at the bottom, most likely for Charleston silversmith Charles Prince. 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 a hand-engraved "169"; "SERVANT" in a rectangular punch; and 1806 bar punched (the very large loop on the "6" makes this look more like "1800" to the naked eye). The condition is extremely fine; all devices are sharp and well struck; patina is dark and even. <BR><BR>A change in the Charleston slave badge law in 1806 specified that all badges would be good for the period of January through December, or a calendar year as opposed to a fiscal year. The mintage for 1806-dated badges is estimated to be only 821 of which only a handful are known to be extant. The scarcity of the date coupled with its choice condition makes this a very desirable example worthy of the finest collections.<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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