Slave Badge

Description:

1863 copper slave badge stamped "22 Mechanic." The badge has been reused with the date and serial number stamped over an original "1862" and the number "288." This was common in the Civil War period as part of an official effort to conserve copper by "recycling" expired badges. This particular slave badge would have been worn by a slave who was a skilled tradesman hired out to produce a particular craft, such as ironwork or cabinetry.

• Site: Heyward-Washington House
• Site Number: 38Ch108
• Date: 1863
• Dimensions: H-4.6 W-4.6 cm
• Makers Mark: No maker's marks

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• Collection: Slave Badge Collection
• Object Name: Badges
• Object Id: ARL 19752

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• Search Terms
  • Enslaved people
  • Slave badges