1847 Charleston, South Carolina Slave Badge

Offered is a truly wonderful and historic object. Residents of Charleston, South Carolina could hire slave labor on an “as-needed” basis from slaveowners during the late 1700s through the outbreak of the Civil War. Various cities had laws regulating this practice, but Charleston has the distinction of being the only city with a slave-hire system accompanied by the issuance of what are often called “slave badges," such as the fine example available here.

A slaveowner who wanted to hire out his slaves paid an annual license fee based on the enslaved worker’s primary occupation. In return, the owner would receive a copper badge for each slave registered. The badge contained four pieces of information: the city (Charleston), a serial number, the date (year), and an occupation. The owner was then allowed to hire that slave out to private individuals, businesses, or even the municipal government with the proviso that the enslaved worker would wear the badge at all times when on one of those hire-out jobs and that the slave could only perform the function he was licensed to perform.

This particular badge, a thin but sturdy copper square with clipped corners, was issued in 1847 for a Servant, and stamped with a serial number of 2110. Condition of this badge is very good, with some surface wear and a very pleasing patina. Charleston slave badges are becoming very difficult to obtain as many are now in institutional collections. This is a rare opportunity to obtain a genuine example for your own collection. Lot is accompanied by a letter of provenance stating where the badge was found and additional information.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Slavery, Abolition, Charleston, Slave, Abolitionist]