11. Auction of Henry: $3,100 in Mobile, Alabama
Henry, a 25-year-old laborer sold in Mobile, Alabama, fetched an extraordinary $3,100 at auction. His youthful strength and physical condition made him a prized acquisition for plantation owners seeking maximum productivity. As referenced by the National Park Service, prime-age men like Henry often achieved the highest prices in the market, as their labor was seen as the most valuable investment. His sale is a stark example of the harsh valuation placed on human bodies.
