6. The Plantation Blacksmith: $2,800 Sale
A plantation blacksmith in Georgia once sold for $2,800, underscoring the tremendous value placed on enslaved men with specialized trades. Blacksmiths were essential to plantation life, responsible for making and repairing tools, horseshoes, and equipment. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, skilled tradesmen like blacksmiths could command far higher prices than unskilled laborers. Their expertise often meant a lifetime of hard work, yet their unique abilities set them apart in the harsh economics of the slave market.
