Charleston slave badge from 1858 for Mechanic No. 450

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This is a square metal slave badge set on point with sharp corners. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “1858 [stamped] / MECHANIC [stamped] / 450 [punched].” The ‘Charleston’ stamp was unevenly applied. There is a hole punched at the center top.

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