Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
This amazing piece of history is an excellent example of the Charleston “hire badge.” Charleston, South Carolina was the only city in the South to issue these tags. Each year a slave owner that hired out any of his slaves had to pay a tax and the slave had to wear a “tag” proving the tax had been paid. The greater the skill and training required, the greater the tax. Thus tags were issues according to “occupation” with occupations like “Servant”, “Porter”, “Mechanic”, “Fisher” and “Carpenter”. Most tags are found in privies that have been excavated in the old city of Charleston. Much depends on the acidity of the soil as to what condition the tag is in. This tag retains much of its bevel. most tags have flattened over time. The tag has a pleasing brown/green patina, strong strike. #171, Charleston, 1845, Porter.
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