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1856 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #2538

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 2,000.00 USD
1856 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge #2538
<B>1856 Charleston SERVANT Slave Hire Badge. Number 2538.</B></I> A flat diamond-shaped tag, corners unclipped, holed (slightly off-center) at the top for suspension, 55mm x 57mm. Manufactured this year by local tinsmith W. B. Veronee for which he was paid three cents per badge (the then current fee for purchasing a Servant badge was $2.00). The elements on the front are as follows (top to bottom): "CHARLESTON" in a crescent-shaped bar punch; an incuse "2538" in individual punches; "SERVANT" in a rectangular punch; and "1856" bar punched (at an angle). The condition is extremely fine with a dark patina and very clear devices, one tiny nick on the lower left edge. The numbers are punched so hard as to be visible from the back. A great example.