Slave Hire Badge for Mechanic, 1850
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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.
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
Badge
Date Made
1850
On Exhibit
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
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