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

25269

1814 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #50

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,600.00 USD
1814 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #50
<B>1814 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge. Number 50.</B></I> A flat square-shaped (as they were in even-numbered years during this period) tag with clipped corners and a hole at the top for suspension, 48mm x 52mm. There is a lightly punched hallmark on the reverse near the center of "LAFAR" indicating manufacture by silversmith John Joseph LaFar. The elements on the obverse are as follows (top to bottom): "*CHARLESTON*" in a crescent-shaped bar punch (the "N*" a bit weak); "No" in a square punch followed by an incuse "50" in individual punches (punched quite deeply even all the way through the metal at places); "SERVANT" in a rectangular punch; and "1814" bar punched. The condition is generally very fine with a dark patina and just a hint of verdigris. <BR><BR>1814 was the first year in which all the elements of the badges were punched, nothing was engraved. Also, it was the first year in which maker LaFar started the pattern of square-shaped badges in even-numbered years and diamond-shaped badges in odd-numbered years. Approximately 1338 badges were issued with the 1814 date. The two-digit number makes this a particularly desirable example.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot