Mistaken identity Slave Hire Badge in Standard Catalogue
There is a case of mistaken identity in the Standard Catalog of Hard Times Tokens, at the bottom of page 113. On the left is an image of a Servant Tag "HT 500, SERVANT, 1811 in toothed rectangle ..." But the Diamond Shape tells us it can't be an 1811 or it would be rectangular with scalloped corners with a LAFAR hallmark on the reverse. The most readily identified 1811 SERVANT badge is from the Stack's Auction 1993 Lot No. 1167 of the John J. Ford Jr. Collection that had been damaged (with the badge number broken off with the bottom third of the badge). The badge on page 113 of the Standard Catalog is a John Mood SERVANT Badge 1841, (not 1811) as evidenced by the serrated border of the date which is referred to as the 'toothed rectangle' date. A Mood 1841 SERVANT would be: HT#500 R5. The Lafar 1811 SERVANT would be: HT#513 Rarity R6. Big difference.
Rulau, Russell. Standard Catalog of Hard Times Tokens 1832-1844. Krause, 2001.
And the best place to view Slave Badges is the Charleston Museum. Visit their web page: www.charlestonmuseum.org
A great image of a John Mood 1844 Servant with a serrated border is on Page Two, the sixth badge on the page.
Standard Catalog image courtesy Rick Hartzog
Comments
user_66754
Level 2
I'm not sure how to suggest a correction to an established book such as the Standard Catalog of HTT. When I went to the ANS site to look at their collection of slave hire badges I found they attributed Charleston to West Virginia. I informed them this was inaccurate. They responded and told me it was a computer glitch and would correct it. But I have no idea when the next Standard Catalog is going to be improved. I hope they include the latest data available, including this post. Thanks Mike, Don
Mike
Level 7
This is not the Hard Times Token I was expecting something like a HT -18 . This happens when you don't have the book. It's to late now after 27 years of collecting I don't need any more books or tokens sorry my fault. Always buy the book before you buy the coin. This is a perfect example of it so maybe someone will not make the mistake I did. Thanks.
user_66754
Level 2
Thanks Mike, I agree. I had the early copy of Hard Time Token, but didn't get the update until recently from the ANA library. What a great resource for ANA members. Appreciate your comments. Don
It's Mokie
Level 6
Not an area of the hobby that I have visited but nice to see a passionate pursuit of accuracy. Thanks for your vigilance.
user_66754
Level 2
I've been interested in Slave Hire badges since I was a boy, so when I see something that doesn't seem to fit I check out the limited resources. Thank goodness the ANA has a Library we can all use and share. Thanks Don
Longstrider
Level 6
Nice job. Good eyes..
user_66754
Level 2
Appreciate the positive response. Exploring rarity in slave badges is a hobby of mine. I hadn't seen the Standard Copy of HTT until I joined the ANA last year and accessed it thru the Library. The authors made a lot of progress from the earlier edition, but there is a lot of area of growth in this area. Again, thanks for posting. Don
Mike
Level 7
I have some Hard Times tokens from Newman's collection. I don't have the book. I would contact them and get it corrected. As you say the rarity is a big difference. Thanks for letting us know. Good pickup.