Scarce original Charleston Slave Hire Tag
Unconditionally guaranteed original from a respected old SC collection.  This is an Atmar 1818 Servant tag, dug as they all seem to be but in as fine a condition as you will find.  $1,450.00 ON HOLD
Charleston Slave Tags, or Slave Hire Badges were used by the owners of slaves wishing to rent out their slaves.  The slave owners were required to pay a tax to the City of Charleston and proof of payment was shown by the wearing of Slave Tags.  Slaves who only worked on their owner's plantation did not have to have tags. The earliest known dated tag is 1800, the latest known dated tag is 1864.  The tags were numbered to the slave and noted his occupation with the most commonly found being Servant and Porter.  These tags were singular to the city of Charleston, SC. 
 The first Slave Tags were made by "Altmar". All 1800 Tags are octagonal, with the occupation, date and engraved number with "Atmar" silversmith stamp on the reverse.  These are considered rare even when a common occupation.
 Ralph Atmar Jr. was a Silversmith in Charleston, from 1793 to 1803.  In 1799 he advertised as a silversmith at No. 20 Broad Street.