Metal Detecting! - Found Rare Slave Tag and Silver Half Dollar! | Nugget Noggin 

Thank you Nuggetnoggin for saying the piece about our History we can't change what was but learning from it makes us a better people.. God Bless...

The brass triangle is used in older houses to hold the glass in windows. My old house was built in the mid 1800's and all the old windows we replaced had the triangles in the wood frame.

The second that tag came off the person became free. I hope he or she lived a long, free life.

wow you just showed me something I never knew about the slave tag I always thought there were just papers on the slaves thank you nugget your a mighty fine young man xxx

Of course it may simply have been lost but can you imagine that person, that enslaved seller of fruit hearing about emancipation or the coming of Union troops, taking off his or her slave tag and folding it in half and throwing it in the dirt. I can. Thank you for your videos. And your bold Witness for the Lord.

10 years of detecting and still finding firsts, your hands was shaking when you found that half dollar, slave tag and triangle

I sat here and wondered who wore that tag all those years ago. It’s a crying shame that things were ever like that. Great find nugget god bless

great job! my kids and i are huge fans. we love to watch your show together. we recently bought a garrett 350 to get us started ourselves. thanks for being kid and family friendly and please, KEEP UP THE VIDEOS! god bless sir!

Good video bud, that slave tag is what you said, a piece of our history, no denying it.

Great video Nugget, so right about our history don't try to erase it or change it, learn from it.

Slave Tags or slave badges were used by slaves in and around the well-known seaport and slave trade city of Charleston, SC from the late 1700s to 1865. Laws There were laws in place in the early 1800s which allowed slave owners to hire out their slaves. These laws were in place in southern cities including Mobile, Norfolk, New Orleans, Charleston, and Savannah. But, the only southern city that had a strict regulatory method for keeping track of these slaves was Charleston, SC. One requirement known only to slaves in Charleston, SC related to the use of slave tags or slave registration tags, which are highly collectible today. Slave owners could rent out the services of their slaves to other members of the community for a fee. Slaves were required to wear a slave tag or identification marker while working for others under the direction of their masters. Fees for the tags, similar to a license, were set based on the abilities and skills of the slave. The registration fee or tax for slave tags brought income to the city of Charleston, SC. Details on Tag An authentic slave tag included the city “Charleston” in raised lettering in an arched shape at the top of the tag near a punched out hole for the rope to wear around the slave’s neck. Most slave tags measured approximately 2 inches square and were worn in a diamond orientation. A serial number on the tag was specific to an individual slave. The tag further noted the slave’s occupation and year of issue. By law, the slave tag must be worn at all times by the slave during the calendar year marked on the tag. Tags included a one-word description of a slave’s skill such as “servant’. The tax year in raised numbers such as “1829” or “1841” is found on authentic slave tags. Also, an authentic slave tag had a unique serial number for one individual slave only. Most tags were made of copper by silversmiths or blacksmiths with a contract to make tags for the city. Authentic slave tags command from $75 to $3,000 depending on condition, occupation noted on the slave tag, and date of issue. Conversely, slaves working on the property of their original owner or on a plantation did not have to wear a slave tag. Authentic Slave Tags Slave TagAn authentic metal slave tag included the city “Charleston” in raised lettering in an arched shape at the top of the tag near a punched out hole for the rope to wear around the slave’s neck. Most slave tags measured approximately 1 ½ inches square to 2 inches square and worn in a diamond orientation. Tags included a one-word description of a slave’s skill or occupation such as the common occupations of “porter” and “servant”, and also other skills like “fisher,” “fruiterer”, “furniture maker” or “huckster” (the skill of salesmanship). Some tags have been faked over the years with other information embossed onto the metal tag however as an expert who has seen literally thousands of these tags at my appraisal events over the years, I can tell the fakes from the real slave tags. Many sellers of these tags discredit certain tags in an effort to inflate the market value or discredit other sellers of collectible tags. The tax year shown in raised numbers such as “1829” or “1841” can be found on authentic slave tags. Also, an authentic slave tag has a unique serial number relating to only one working slave which appeared in incised or hand punched numbers and not raised numbering. The Charleston city records that could have linked slave tags to the slaves who wore them (via the serial number on each tag) vanished after the Civil War, circa 1865. There are a few known makers of slave tags from Charleston, SC. Specifically, there were two makers of slave tags who had contracts with the city to forge these tags including John Mood who made tags during the 1840s and William M. Rouse who produced them during the 1850s. Values for slave tags have reached to nearly $20,000 for specialty tags however authentic tags that some to market regularly command thousands of dollars from collectors. Fake tags sell for around $50 each. Values for slave tags range widely depending on condition, authenticity (many are forgeries), noted occupation, and age.

The tag is amazing! What a piece of history... I wonder if you could get a number off if it a trace it back to an actual person? It’d be cool to see if they have living ancestors and be able to give them a piece of their family’s history as well...

Hey nugget you are the best RU-vidr ever and I got me a metal detector last weekend and found a lot of stuff an god bless you brother

One of the best parts of your videos is the passion in your voice.

Great job on a rare and historical find.

Your Best yet! I am so proud of you that you view actual history of our country as important!

Reading some of these comments about the slave tag are amazing! This is such a important piece of history, these things should never be forgotten but shared! You know every time I dig a fired mini ball I stare at it and think, this was fired to take another man's life! In anger, in fear, or for survival! We did have some bad time's in our countries past, but all countries do. Considering, I think we have it pretty good in today's time's! So I am going to keep digging history and keep sharing it with other's, and when I am gone I will donate my collection to the local museum, where most of it came from! Keep on digging and share the history!

Awesome find! You're so right about people wanting to change or forget history. We need to learn from it and move forward so we don't repeat!

Many years of watching this channel..the slave tag is by far the coolest find thus far

I'm really glad you got close ups of the slave tag, what a sad and tragic chapter in our history, but it is very important to never forget. You have saved a piece of history.

Slave tag! Amazing Nugget! Thank you for digging up America history! Priceless! And thank you for your verses!

Im only 3mins in and I have to say man you are one intelligent and knowledgeable person! I love history and apparently your a great person to show the future generations how fun it can be looking into the past! Congrats on your finds and KEEP DIGGING!

What an amazing find Nuggs. That there is a piece of history that could tell a story. Great job!

Young man, you are an inspiration to others! Your positive attitude and enthusiasm are so uplifting and encouraging. Your sharing of scripture is soul filling. Your sense of adventure and fun are contagious. Keep up the good work and may God bless you!

congrats on the historical slave tag find of a life time ,well deserved for all the time spent afield detecting .

Amazing, amazing find. You keep honoring America. You made me so proud to hear your opinion on history!

I always wondered when you would find a slave tag. I watch your videos because I love to see all the historical artifacts you unearth. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the super close up..RU-vidrs need to do that more

Congrats on you're slave tag, how awsome, and it is the real deal, not a fake.

Best Hunt I've seen of yours(Yet)!...What an amazing historical find! Thanks for sharing the hunt with us....

Hi Nugget , I agree with Jeff . Glazing point for a glass window . Thanks for another great video . You find the coolest things ! I think you are a great young man !

Lovely video as always ... fantastic to see that Slavery Tag particularly in the ground and no longer on a human. We have come so far in such a short space of time but we still have a way to go. All you can do, is your part, enjoy your life, and attempt each day to treat others as you wish to be treated.

Just wanted to say thank you for your channel. Me and my son love watching you. He is 11 and got a cheap detector for Christmas. We got mine over the weekend and have been out a couple times. We found a ring today. Now if we only had a pin pointer we would get to spend more time hunting then trying to get what we find out of the hole. Lol. Keep it up sir. And may God bless you in your search.

According to the site exonumia.com, a Charleston slave tag with the occupation "fruiterer" is very scarce . You might have something worth money as well as historical value . Nice!

Congratulations Nugget! That is certainly a Find of a Lifetime!

Again great content and thanks for sharing With us. Greetings from WW2HistoryHunter

Very nice discoveries. Slave tag is an awesome find. Congratulations. See you again real soon.

Absolutely incredible man! Unfortunately not many detectorists will get to experience finding a slave tag so huge congrats!!! Nice silver half & other finds as well!

Wow what a great find with that tag. I agree, history is important. All of it. We should all know and learn from the truth about our past. History doesn't always repeat itself, but it often rhymes.

Absolutely love that slave tag... Just imagine if that tag could talk.

Tags were used as sub contractor badges, they were paid for and regulated by the city of Chas. No where in the country were these made and regulated. According to craft, many bought freedom by subbing their services.... Most if not all were trustworthy and lived solely with immediate family. I have dug many and none sold. Found on my personal property near Chas, the tags are one of the most treasured finds in existence.. Great job as always Nugget.. Thanks for the honesty at video end!!

It is a joy to watch you each time

First off I got to say that I love watching your videos. Thank you so much for posting them. The brass triangle. I believe it was used to hold a pain of glass in the window frame. Putty would then have sealed the window

Well spoken at the end my friend. Thankfully we have come a long way here in this great country. Keep up the hard work and thanks for sharing.

It's incredible that you found the slave tag but even more so that you found the corner five feet away! It's hard to imagine times such as that...God Bless, Michael.

A tremendous historical find good on you! Blessings

Already saddened by the decline in our nation, seeing that slave tag saddened me even more, it's our reality of our past, it was real, it happened, it's past, I'm saddened their is still so much hate. I thank God for how far we caome since those days past. And pray for us now🙏🌻 I love all your videos, the Bible verses in the beginning, the views of our land, the waterfalls and water hunt are my favorite, the Arrowheads, I'm also Cherokee Indian, German, Irish & English. So I enjoy the culture and you take us all to places we've never been, 🌻🤗🙏 it's amazing to see the Lord's work. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your journey with us. It's beautiful 🎶🦋🌷🍃 This video touched my heart 💜🙏🦋

What amazing finds.. Great job Michael!!

Very cool finds Mike! Thanks for posting.

Absolutely fantastic historical find, well done,

Fascinating. Thanks for posting this hunt. Take care.

We love watching your videos, my husband had stroke, both caroidiad arteries 8 in. blocked,,last April,,,God built small vein in back of head which supplies blood to brain,,since that happened,, he had to quit work immediately,,He really enjoys your finds,,your great personality!!! The inspiring verses! God bless!!!

Amazing finds, and the slave tag is historical and sad at the same time.

COOL FINDS..coin and slave tag...WOW!

It’s nice knowing that nobody will ever have to wear that tag ever again

Nice variety of great artifacts ~ and a silver coin! You had a great day! Congratulations!

That slave tag is a fabulous find. I have never seen anyone find one. So Kewl.

awesome finds. slave tag & half dollar....... what a hunt!

Congrats Nugget on finding a stellar Slave tag!

What an amazing piece of American history. Great finds.

Great finds. Agree with you on trying to change history. Thank you for this video.

I believe that triangle may be a glazing point , used to hold the glass in a window . Just a guess though .

I agree with you on your history thoughts. We need to learn from history so not to repeat it. Definitely not change or destroy it. Wonderful video and a great find.

I honestly love watching your videos!!!

Congratulations on Franklin #1. I just found my first one last year (after detecting for 3 years)! Great job on saving that history! Nugget, you need a new pair of gloves!

Great finds and awesome videos! Keep posting bub!!!

I love the video's you make! Always exciting and makes me want to get back into metal detecting. I've seen a lot of the videos on the channel. Keep up the great work.

Love it. Stay awesome, nugget!

Wow, what a find that slave tag was. Great bit of hunting there.

What a find. Crazy to imagine unearthing something that hadn't seen the light of day since being worn by a slave -- a kidnapped, tortured and hopeless human being. Always enjoy your videos, but what a beautiful thing you're doing to preserve history. Not to throw a moral elbow, but it would be neat if that could somehow be used on display to educate young people, and to show them exactly what the reality of our history is.

Wow! That’s awesome. I live in Charleston and work as a park ranger at Charles Towne Landing. I find a lot of old bottles in the marsh. Always enjoy your videos man. God Bless

DUDE! Nice servant tag. That is history. Thanks man.

SUPER COOL ONE OF A KIND FIND!!!

Congrats Michael. It’s a beautiful find and piece of history. Now you definitely owe me a productive spot. 😏

Great historical find on that slave tag. God Bless!

Nice find! Indeed, keep the statues up!

That is really cool,never knew they had tags before. Great hunt

Interesting finds. Thanks for taking us akong. God bless.

Awesome find a true piece of history

What a Great find! That slave tag is exactly what the hobby is all about. Finding lost historical items to preserve our history. Even though some may find it offensive. It's part of our history and needs to be known. We overcame that ugly part and still need to learn to get along. Excellent video. Keep up Gods work. God bless. H/H. ^v^ Rick

nice advice at the end "learn from not forget our history"

The brass triangle possibly is used in glazing in a glass pane to a window. I think they are called "glazing points"... Great video! Thx for sharing this!

That flat button is a very good indicator of a lot older, deeper finds. Get all the 0-8 inch stuff out then hit it again and dig the whispers!

So happy for you .... that history is insane

What is that thing just above the half dollar and left of the musket ball?

Always great finds in your videos! Love it! Keep it up brother.

Great job. I really enjoy watching your videos. Denise NJ

Congrats on 2 great first finds. Franklin was my 1st half, not seen another Frankee since. No slave tags up here in New England, what a find.

Very nice find, have only seen slave tags in books , wow nice !

I guess haters are going to be haters, but an idiot can't be helped! Why anyone would downtown you is beyond me! Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Congrats on your finds, and God bless you Sweetheart! Love from Tenn..-- Ollie.

That tag is interesting. Thanks for sharing the hunt!

Love your vids noggin,keep them coming

Great video, brother!!!!

Awesome find! Congrats!

Awesome, Michael! That is worth a lot!

As always, great video Michael. Nice relic saves and Franklin Half (one of my favorite coins) I’ve only found one of those myself. 😎 God Bless & Happy Hunting!

Great hunt. WOW a slave tag! That is a major bucketlister.

Tbh your channel made me addicted to metal detecting

That's a heck of a find, congrats

Awesome find! Good for you!