National Museum of African American History and Culture
Charleston slave badge from 1815 for Servant No. 689
John Joseph Lafar, American, 1784 - 1849 · 1815
A flat diamond-shaped badge with clipped corners and a hole at the top for suspension. “LAFAR” hallmark punched on the back. The elements on the front are as follows (top to bottom): "*CHARLESTON*" in a lunate bar punch; "No" in a square punch followed by an incuse "689" in deep individual punches; "SERVANT" in a rectangular punch; and "1815" bar punched at somewhat of an angle. The condition on this badge is extremely fine with well-defined elements, smooth surfaces, and an even medium brown patina. There is just a bit of verdigris at the bottom.
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