Slave Hire Badge for Mechanic, 1850

01

Artifact Overview

Slave hire badges were worn by enslaved African Americans whose owners hired them out to work for other people. Their wages went back to the owner. Badges were used to identify individuals in Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; and New Orleans, Louisiana. This badge for a mechanic was issued in Charleston.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Badge

Date Made

1850

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in With Liberty & Justice for All

Object ID

93.168.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Copper (Metal)

Dimensions

Height : 1.625 in
Width: 1.625 in

Inscriptions

Obverse: CHARLESTON / 138 / MECHANIC / 1850
Slave Hire Badge for Mechanic, 1850