2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Exceedingly rare slave badge with stamped "CHARLESTON/1860/PORTER/1302," 2-1/4'x2-1/4", beveled as issued, with small punched at hole at top for it to be attached to the slave. The dug copper tag has surface pitting covering about 20% of the tag. Charleston, South Carolina was the only city in the South 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 outa 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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