Charleston, South Carolina "slave badge,” dated 1825. 2 1/2 x 2 11/16 in. From the workshop of John Joseph Lafar, by city contract. This example was issued for a “Servant," typically a designation used to describe an enslaved person engaged in general labor or housework. The front is clearly struck "CHARLESTON / 1825 / SERVANT / N 1340 / LAFAR".

Accompanied by the following Certificate of Authenticity, reproduced verbatim at the consignor's request: "This is to certify that this 1825 Charleston Servant Hire Badge No. 1340 is guaranteed for life as being authentic. This tag was excavated from dirt taken from the historic district of Charleston, S.C. back in the 1960's. Out of all the examples we have owned, this tag is a 10/10 and has a pleasing patina and strong stamping. 1825 had the distinction of the Silversmith, Lafar placing his name on the front as opposed to the reverse... thus making this year especially desirable for display. A truly outstanding museum quality example."

Condition as shown, overall fine with a pleasing patina. The badge features correct clipped corners and a punched hole for adherence.

A slave badge from a period of rising racial tensions and measures of control in Charleston. In 1822, free Black craftsman and preacher Denmark Vesey was convicted of plotting to overthrow the white population of Charleston. They responded with curfews for Black people, prohibited Black people from assembling, and they abolished the education of slaves. 

The 1820s also saw the beginnings of secession in South Carolina, with many wishing to operate as an independent state with trade laws favorable to their own best interest. The conflict would simmer over in the Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833. 

Charleston slave badges are sobering visual evidence of a system for hiring out enslaved men and women that was unique to that city between 1800-1865. During this period, the local government mandated that enslaved people wear or otherwise display badges like this when they were hired out by their enslavers (note the small hole at the top center of this example). The city issued the badges in return for a fee paid by slaveholders. The objects were then inscribed with an occupation, year of issue, and registration number. When worn, the badge gave its wearer some freedom of movement around Charleston. That said, the wages earned by a hired-out slave typically belonged to their owners.

Few objects are as profoundly impactful as a Charleston slave badge. This example, without any doubt, was worn by an enslaved person while they were hired out to work - likely for the financial benefit of their enslaver.

[African American History, Black Americana, Frederick Douglass, Abolition, Emancipation, Slavery, Slave, Abolitionist, John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Union, Confederate]