Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
Exceedingly rare slave badge with stamped "CHARLESTON, No 159, SERVANT, 1819”, 3” x 3", with small punched at hole at top for it to be attached to the slave. This has the LAFAR backstamp, with very minor bends, dark patina. John Joseph LaFar, a well known Charleston silversmith stamped the tags from 1810 to 1828. The odd years (like this one) were diamond, the even years were square. Charleston, South Carolina was the only city to issue these tags or badges which had to be worn by any slave that was 'hired out' within the city limits. Each year a slave owner that hired out a slave had to pay a tax and the slave had to wear this "license tag" proving that the tax had been paid. The greater the skill and training required, the greater the tax. Thus tags were issued according to 'occupation' with occupations like 'Mechanic' or 'Carpenter' requiring the most tax.
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