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1853, Charleston (SC) SERVANT Slave Hire Tag

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:2,600.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
1853, Charleston (SC) SERVANT Slave Hire Tag
Black History

Authentic 1853 Charleston “SERVANT” Slave Hire Tag

1853-Dated. Charleston (SC) “SERVANT” Slave Hire Identification Tag. Copper. Original & GENUINE. Choice Very Fine

This is an authentic, original Slave “Tag” or “Badge” that is Diamond shaped, a full large 55mm wide x 55mm tall, Copper, with the standard small round hole punch at top for suspension, as made. This tag has a full and clear “1853” date, a full, clear and complete punch for the “SERVANT” occupation. It has a deeply punched “13” being the extremely low tag serial number. The city name is quite easy to read and full. It has a perfectly natural even brown patina, the face side reading: “CHARLESTON - 1853 - SERVANT - 13”. Some typical faint overall roughness adds to its authenticity. This example is actually far above average in its quality. This tag is of the Type shown in the 2004 reference book, “Slave Badges and the Slave Hire System In Charleston, SC 1783-1865,” by Greene & Hutchins. A similar1853 dated example can be seen illustrated on page 155 of that reference.

Slave-hire Tags or Badges were created and sold only in Charleston, South Carolina. These badges were renewable at the end of every year as long as the fee was paid. According to Greene, Hutchins, Jr., and Hutchins in their book "Slave Badges and the Slave-Hire System in Charleston, South Carolina, 1783-1865," the badges for 1840 were made by William M. Rouse, a silversmith, who made more Slave badges than any other maker. The badges were diamond-shaped, made of copper, and for the year 1853, noted on page 139.