Created by:

Charles Prince, American  Search this

Medium:

metal

Dimensions:

H x W: 2 3/8 × 2 3/16 in. (6 × 5.5 cm)

Type:

slave hire badges

Place used:

Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date:

1805

Description:

This is an octagonal metal slave badge. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “No. [stamped] 342 [punched] / SERVANT [stamped] / 1805 [stamped].” On the verso is a stamped cartouche at the bottom center with the maker's name “C PRINCE.” There is a hole punched at the center top. The top proper left corner and edge of the octagon are rounded rather than straight.

Topic:

African American  Search this

Labor  Search this

Skilled labor  Search this

Slave hire system  Search this

Slavery  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Partial Gift of Harry S. Hutchins, Jr. DDS, Col. (Ret.) and his Family, dedicated to the individuals these Slave Hire Badges represent and their descendants

Object number:

2022.5.12

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title:

Charleston Slave Hire Badge Collection

Classification:

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd53cf38965-8fdd-4100-a96b-e56cda67fac3

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2022.5.12