VIDEO: SLAVE BADGES, VERMONT COPPERS, SPONSIAN

John Kraljevich, Slave Badges and Dog Tags
2022 Stack Family Lecture on American Numismatics: Slave Badges and Dog Tags: Personal Artifacts of Enslaved and Free African-Americans Before 1865

 

 

In the whole realm of material culture, very few objects can be unquestionably ascribed to the possession of African-Americans before 1865. However, in spite of the overall rarity of these sorts of items, two significant groups of intensely personal objects can be classed as numismatic. From 1783 to 1865, Charleston, South Carolina officially produced identification badges for African-Americans, first exclusively for free persons, then exclusively for enslaved Americans who were to be hired out by their masters. Made of metal and intended for personal display, the Charleston badges are at least loosely similar to the identification discs or dog tags made for Black men who fought for the Union in the Civil War and small numbers of formerly enslaved African-Americans, mostly in Washington, DC. Join ANS Fellow John Kraljevich, a numismatist and historian, for an exploration of these items, their lessons, and broader themes of African-American history.

To watch, see:
Slave Badges and Dog Tags: Personal Artifacts of Enslaved and Free African-Americans Before 1865 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eECKuP--xzw)

The History of Vermont Copper Coins, 1785–1788

Jesse Kraft, Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics, American Numismatic Society

This presentation will trace the history of the rare and desirous Vermont copper coinage of the 1780s. It will not only cover their production and circulation, but also place them within the larger context of pre-Federal money in the United States. From official production to spurious counterfeits, this presentation will help you understand the hardships of monetary circulation in early Vermont.

Dr. Jesse Kraft is the Resolute Americana Assistant Curator at the American Numismatic Society where he oversees the collection of coins, tokens, medals, and paper currency of both North and South America. He is an expert on monetary circulation in early America and routinely gives lectures on the topics. He is on the Editorial Committee for the Journal of Early American Numismatics, and has a forthcoming book on the circulation of foreign coinage in early America.

To purchase tickets, see:
The History of Vermont Copper Coins, 1785–1788 (https://benningtonmuseum.org/event/2023vtcoins/)

Sponsian's Coins Revealed

 

Martin Purdy writes:

 

To watch, see:
Sponsian's coins Revealed: are these ancient Indian copies? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISdm8Prx2gU)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web