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Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Charleston slave badge from 1817 for Servant No. 121

1817

Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

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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 clipped corners. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “No. [stamped] 121 [punched] / SERVANT [stamped] / 1817 [stamped].” On the verso is a stamped cartouche at the top center with the maker's name “LAFAR.” There is a hole punched at the center top.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2022.5.32

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