Charleston slave badge from 1803 for Mechanic No. 137

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 round metal slave badge. On the recto is ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “No. 137 [engraved] / MECHANIC [stamped] / 1803 [stamped].” The bottom edge has been trimmed, with the very top of an "1802" stamped date visible, indicating this badge is reworked from the previous year. On the verso is a stamped cartouche at the bottom center with the maker's name “C PRINCE.” There is a hole punched at the center top. A thin piece of the bottom of the badge is missing.

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