The selling price for slaves in the 1700s varied significantly and was dependent on a number of factors. Generally speaking, prices fluctuated heavily from region to region and from year to year, but there were some general trends as well.
According to records from Louisiana in the early 1700s, male slaves typically sold for between $500 and $1,000, while female slaves were typically sold for around $100 less. In South Carolina, the same two genders of slaves sold for around $300 and $250, respectively.
Other factors that could have an effect on the price of a slave in the 1700s included their age, experience, strength, and skills. Younger slaves were often sold for more, while experienced and skilled slaves could be sold for higher prices, since they brought more to their owner.
Additionally, the size of a slave’s family could have an effect, with larger families commanding higher prices since they could do more work. In general, more valuable slaves, such as those with more desirable skills or experience, could be sold for up to twice as much depending on the region.
Overall, the prices of slaves in the 1700s were dependent on a variety of different factors, which caused prices to fluctuate from region to region, year to year, and even from slave to slave. While some general trends in prices can be seen, it is difficult to get exact prices for slaves during this time period.
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How much did a male slave cost in 1860?
The cost of a male slave in 1860 varied significantly depending on their age, region and specific skill set. Generally speaking, a male slave between the ages of 18 to 25 years old in the Deep South cost around $1200, while the same male slave age group in the Upper South would cost around $1000.
In the Middle Atlantic and New England the cost was significantly less, usually around $400-800. If a slave was a skilled tradesman such as a blacksmith, their cost could be even higher, potentially in the thousands.
Prices for male slaves began to drop after 1860, which was due to the changing economic conditions of the time and greater availability of slaves.
What was the price of a male field hand slave in 1860?
Answering the question of what the price of a male field hand slave was in 1860 is quite difficult as the cost of a slave varied significantly depending on the skillset, age, and region of the slave in question.
Generally, male field hands could be bought for anywhere from $400-$2,500 in 1860. Slaves in the Upper South states, such as Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky, tended to be somewhat more expensive than those from the Deep South.
As a reference, a common laborer typically earned just under $400 per year in 1860 and a mechanic could earn as much as $600 per year. Additionally, prices for freed slaves increased by the end of 1860: as antislavery sentiments rose with the beginning of the Civil War, male field hands were selling for between $1,000 and $2,000.
What were male slaves worth?
The value of a male slave varied, depending on the age and skills of the slave. Generally, male slaves were far more expensive than female slaves in the American South, because they were viewed as having more usable skills and were able to provide more labor.
According to the federal census of 1860, the average price of a male slave in the United States was $400. However, depending on the age and skillset of the slave, prices could be higher. For example, a prime field hand, or a skilled artisan or craftsman, might bring prices in the thousands.
Slave prices could also depend on the region; in certain areas, prime field hands could go for upwards of $2,000.
How much was a prime field hand worth in 1850?
The worth of a prime field hand in 1850 varied greatly depending on various factors such as location, gender, race, and skills. In some locations, such as the South, enslaved field hands could be worth up to $1,000-$2,000.
In other areas, such as the Midwest or Northeast, a prime field hand might have been valued at around $250-$350. Some of the most highly skilled prime field hands could have been worth even more. It is important to note that a prime field hand was valued for his or her value as physical labor and as property, rather than as an individual.
Therefore, the human dignity of the field hands was not taken into consideration or valued in the 1850s.
How much on average did a slave cost?
The amount of money it cost to purchase a slave varied significantly depending on a variety of factors. For example, a slave would be worth more if they were skilled laborers and speakers of multiple languages.
The cost of purchasing a slave could also depend on their age, gender, health, and location. Additionally, various factors both in the United States and abroad could drive up the price of slaves.
According to the book American Slavery: A Brief Narrative History, the average cost of a plantation slave in the United States hovered around $750 during the mid-1800s. However, some sources report that slaves in urban areas and those sold by traders and dealers could cost as much as $1,000–$1,250.
In addition, a Pew Research Center report in 2014 showed that in some African nations, a slave would cost an average of $435.
Overall, the cost of a slave was determined by location, as well as a variety of other factors, and varied greatly.
How much did it cost to make 12 Years a Slave?
12 Years a Slave was an independently financed film, directed by British filmmaker Steve McQueen and produced by New Regency Pictures and Plan B Entertainment. It had a budget of $20 million, making it one of the most expensive independent films ever made.
This money went towards the production and post-production costs of the movie, the rights to the Solomon Northup book, the cast and crew of the film, and other associated costs that come with a major motion picture.
The film grossed over $187 million worldwide, making it a very successful project and worth the cost of production.
How old were slaves when they were sold?
The age of slaves when they were sold varied depending on the particular situation and context. Generally, most slaves were in their teens when they were sold, but some could be much younger or older.
During the trans-Atlantic slave trade, slaves who were taken from Africa were typically between 15 and 25 years of age. However, it was not uncommon for children as young as 8-10 years old, or adults in their late 30s or even older to be among the slaves that were sold and transported.
During the American slave trade, slaves could be sold at any age, from as young as infancy, although the majority of those who were sold were between the ages of 10 and 40.
Who owns 12 Years a Slave?
12 Years a Slave is a 2013 biographical period drama film based on the 1853 autobiographical novel, 12 Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup. The film is a British-American co-production and was produced and directed by Steve McQueen and written by John Ridley.
The film was co-produced by River Road Entertainment, Plan B Entertainment, New Balloon, and African Prominent Films. River Road Entertainment, founded by Bill Pohlad, Bill Johnson, and Jim Burtson, holds the rights to 12 Years a Slave and is the film’s main producer and distributor.
Plan B Entertainment, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner’s production entity, is also a producer alongside British-based New Balloon and African Prominent Films.
How much was the price of slaves?
The price of slaves varied greatly depending on the time period, location, and labor needs. During the 1700s and 1800s in the United States, slaves were generally sold at public slave auctions for between $500 and $1,500 depending on their age, sex, and skill.
However, in other countries, prices could be lower or significantly higher. For example, in Cuba in the late 19th century, wealthy landowners could pay up to $1,000 for a prime male slave while less desirable slaves could be purchased for around $150.
In India in the 1700s, many slaves sold for no more than $5, while prime slaves could sell for up to $250. It’s important to note that many enslaved people were also traded for products or services, rather than being sold for a set monetary value.
At what age were slaves sold?
Slaves were sold at all different ages, but the legal trading age of slaves was determined by each individual colony or state. In some states, slaves as young as six weeks old could be legally sold. In other states, including Virginia, the legal age of sale was set at 16-years-old.
In most cases, male slaves were sold prior to female slaves and the peak age for male slaves to be sold was between the ages of 18-25 years. In terms of female slaves, the peak age for sale was between the ages of 14-20 years.
Between 1792 and 1820, most slaves being sold were between the ages of 5-35 years-old. So, it is difficult to give a definitive answer as to what age slaves were sold as it was dependent on where the slave was located and how late into the 18th century and early 19th century the sale was taking place.
What year were the last slaves free?
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution officially abolished and prohibited slavery in 1865. Although legally abolished, ratification of the Amendment was slow in some areas and limited federal enforcement left some parts of the United States still dependent on slavery practices for many years to come.
For instance, slavery was not officially abolished in the state of Mississippi until 2013. Therefore, while legally abolished in 1865, the last slaves were not truly free until late in the 19th century and the start of the 20th century.
