Slave Tag

Diamond-shaped copper slave tag for a porter. In the slave hire system, an enslaved person might be sent to work for another master, business owner, or someone who could not afford to own slaves. Charleston was unique among cities in the South because of its formal badge system. Men and women with sought-after skills received tags, which they wore on their necks or wrists or fastened to their clothing. Servants and porters were two of the most common categories of slaves for hire.