309

Unique 1862/1863 Double Stamped Slave Tag With MECHANIC/PORTER Dual Professions

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Black Americana Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Unique 1862/1863 Double Stamped Slave Tag With MECHANIC/PORTER Dual Professions
Black History
Exceptionally Rare 1862/1863 Double Stamped Slave Tag With Unique “Mechanic” & “Porter” Dual Use Professions
1862/1863-Dated Civil War Period, Charleston (SC), Slave Hire Identification Tag. Double Stamped with Dual Use Professions, “MECHANIC” & “PORTER.” Copper. Original & Genuine. Choice Very Fine.
This 1862/1863 Slave Tag (Mechanic/Porter) is one of the RAREST types in Existence. It has a pedigree, as it was found in the early 1990's by digger Addam Coe of Addams Artifacts in Charleston, South Carolina, discovered when dug on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston, SC. This Tag was purchased by our current consignor direct from its source of discovery, Addam Coe, where it had resided in his collection for some 20 years previous. It is stamped with the Low number “38.” with a Slave occupation of “Mechanic” stamped upon the “1863”- Dated side. The opposite side is remarkably stamped as number “1086” and with the Slave occupation of “Porter” on its “1862”- Dated side. The original Charleston maker of this tag is know to be “Veronee.”

This exact tag was previously Featured in the national collector publication “American Digger Magazine” and is set to also appear illustrated in another upcoming book entitled "Low Country Relics." Any Slave Tag that is Civil War dated is extremely scarce due to very low production numbers, and are secondary in use due to the general lack of Copper available during the Civil War period in the South. Hence, this extraordinary example was double stamped due to the War against Slavery itself, using both sides far more cost effectively over the course of two back to back years. Early American History Auctions have sold only two prior examples of a “Double Stamped Tag,” realizing selling prices of $14,000 and $23,000 (inclusive of buyer premiums).

This example falls somewhere within the middle of rarity between the prior two sold per the Rare Slave occupations of “MECHANIC” & “PORTER.” Only a handful of “Double Stamped” Slave Tags have ever been offered for auction. The Charleston Museum retains only one “Double Stamped” example in their collection. This fully authentic Slave “Tag” or “Badge” is Diamond shaped, measuring about 2” wide x 2” tall, made of Copper, with the standard small round hole punch at top for suspension, as made. It has a full and clear “1863” date, plus a full clear and complete punch for the “MECHANIC” occupation at center. It has a deeply punched “38” being the Tag serial number. The city name is quite easy to read and full with just some typical verdigris obscuring “HA” of “CHARLESTON.” It has a perfectly natural rich even patina, the face side with some scattered verdigris and reading: “CHARLESTON - 38 - MECHANIC - 1863”. The earlier, prior use opposite side has some obscurity due to the double stamping of the second years registration information. It is defect and verdigris free, solid and having similar natural patina, reading: “CHARLESTON- 1862 - PORTER - 1086”. A Unique 1862/1863 Dual Occupational Use Slave Tag that is certain to be a major highlight in any advanced Black History or Slave Tag collection.