My Find Of A Lifetime

[B.H.]

I dug this 1813 Charleston CARPENTER slave tag #35,January,7th.2007.
I have dug several others,but this is my best!
There are only 4 1813 CARPENTER slave tags known..1 in the Charleston,S.C. Museum..3 in private hands.
This is the lowest numbered one to date.
I have included actual photos of the tag being dug.

 

[Texas Jed]

I can't tell by the photo's, how large is this tag and where would it be kept?

 

[PBK]

Welcome, B.H.— and congratulations on a phenomenal find!

Don't wait... enter it in Western & Eastern Treasures' "Best Finds of 2007" right now!

 

[B.H.]

The tag is 2" x 1&7/8" (approx) It would have been worn around the neck with a string or chain.

 

[PBK]

I am in the process of obtaining a letter of authenticity before considering submitting the tag for best find of 2007.

There's no way that wouldn't be one of the best!

In fact, I can practically guarantee you that they'd love to have an article about it, too!

Heck, you've already done the research and got the photos... why not go for it?

 

[trk5capt]

BH, Welcome To The Forum. Just Doesn't Get Much Better Than That Around Here. Excelland Find , Congrats. trk5capt...

 

[BuckleBoy]

Dude! Contact them! I don't know if they browse forums like these. That is incredible. You should go ahead and contact them!

Buckleboy

 

[Smithrow1]

Great find.

 

[whitesid]

awesome find

 

[bookfisher]

WOW, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE FIND! ONE OF THE BEST I'VE SEEN ON THIS FORUM! DEFINITELY SEND IT IN FOR THE BEST FINDS OF 2007.

 

[DJ_Quinn]

WOW! Amazing! Let me ask the qetion everyone else must be wondering as well, what is it worth?

 

[Jack(IN)]

What a sweet find..

Congrats and I can believe the condition its in!! VERY nice!!

 

[dugupfinds]

Welcome to Tnet from the UK.

Well done on a rare find!

 

[Eddy1H]

Excellent find, a real piece of history, you found a museum piece and well worth a best finds entry, really nice find and great pics to go with it , thanks for sharing your finds
Eddy

 

[B.H.]

WOW! Amazing! Let me ask the qetion everyone else must be wondering as well, what is it worth?

Thanks for the kind words.....$25k++

 

[FMarion2ndRegSC]

Hey BH, that's a good one right there. I think I recognize that sandy soil!! LOL Great find! Lafar backstamped. That's the last year they made CARPENTER tags (switched to calling them mechanics) AND the last year they they ENGRAVED numbers on hire badges. Awesome condition. I agree...find of a LIFETIME. The holy grail for southern US metal detectorists. Congratulations!!!

 

[jopher]

Congratulations on such a rare historic find.To go out and actually find what one may dream of finding is amazing.WTG.....Joe

 

[B.H.]

Hey BH, that's a good one right there. I think I recognize that sandy soil!! LOL Great find! Lafar backstamped. That's the last year they made CARPENTER tags (switched to calling them mechanics) AND the last year they they ENGRAVED numbers on hire badges. Awesome condition. I agree...find of a LIFETIME. The holy grail for southern US metal detectorists. Congratulations!!!

It appears that you have read Dr.Harry Hutchins Jr's book on slave tags.
You are right on in the description.Number 69 has been found for 1813 so we know that at least 69 were made that year.We are looking for the others..lol...the sandy soil is very kind to the relics we find with our Tesoro's

 

[FMarion2ndRegSC]

Yes, I know Dr. Hutchins and enjoy his book. As far as I'm concerned Don Troiani is the authority on Rev War buttons and Doc Hutchins the authority on hire badges....my two favorites as far as relics go.I've hunted with him and swapped photos of tags. He really likes my 1823 front stamped JJLafar servant tag. He is a great guy and very knowledgable on hire badges.

 

[B.H.]

Yes, I know Dr. Hutchins and enjoy his book. As far as I'm concerned Don Troiani is the authority on Rev War buttons and Doc Hutchins the authority on hire badges....my two favorites as far as relics go.I've hunted with him and swapped photos of tags. He really likes my 1823 front stamped JJLafar servant tag. He is a great guy and very knowledgable on hire badges.

Those are two very knowledgable experts in their fields.I spoke with Harry yesterday..he is a personal friend..we are still looking for our first "front stamped" tag..