Charleston slave badge from 1816 for Mechanic No. 39

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 with clipped corners. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “1816 [stamped] / MECHANIC [stamped] / No. [stamped] 39 [punched] .” On the verso is a stamped cartouche at the center top with the maker's name “LAFAR.” There is a hole punched at the center top.

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