Slave Hire Badge for Servant, 1860

Summary

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 servant 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 servant was issued in Charleston.

Artifact

Badge

Date Made

1860

With Liberty & Justice For All
 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in With Liberty & Justice for All

Object ID

93.168.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Copper (Metal)

Dimensions

Height : 1.5 in

Width: 1.5 in

Inscriptions

Obverse: CHARLESTON / 1860 / SERVANT / 356

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More