Mardi Gras Doubloons Can Be Collectible, But Vary in Collectability
About fifty years ago there was a new item that appeared on Mardi Gras Day, the doubloon.
This is a medallion about the size of a silver dollar.
The first organization to throw these from floats during a parade was Rex, on Mardi Gras Day, 1960.
The doubloons has been a fixture at Mardi Gras ever since.
The Mardi Gras doubloons were, and to some extent still are, collectable.
After Rex introduced the first doubloons many other parading organizations followed with their own.
These medallions are usually aluminum, somewhat standard in size, and depict the organization on the obverse with the dated parade theme on the reverse.
This means that new reverses are needed annually.
Some parades use the uncolored aluminum doubloons, but others have some or all of their doubloons anodized with color.
They come both with plain and reeded edges, and a few have tried shapes and sizes that differ from the norm.
In the early years there was a move by most parading "krewes" to have their own doubloons minted, since these doubloons brought out more parade watchers.
After some time, the plastic cup became so popular that many parade goers allowed the doubloons to remain on the ground.
The cup also depicted the parading organization and theme of the year, and had practical uses.
This was also about the time many collectors realized they would never get every doubloons minted, and began to lose interest.
In the last few years the doubloon has regained some of its appeal, and is now becoming more difficult to catch due to competition.
Parading organizations have not yet responded with greater doubloon availability.
The most valuable doubloons are those not intended to be thrown.
These may be one Troy ounce of fine silver, ceramic, or other disks colored with enamel.
They are purchased as keepsakes by the members of the organization, and without connections these are practically impossible to obtain.
A few coin dealers will handle these when they are available, but they are minted in very small quantities making that a rare occurrence for any particular issue.
For additional coin information please go to http://blackspanielgallery.
com and see the coin information and mint links provided as a service of Black Spaniel Gallery.
This is a medallion about the size of a silver dollar.
The first organization to throw these from floats during a parade was Rex, on Mardi Gras Day, 1960.
The doubloons has been a fixture at Mardi Gras ever since.
The Mardi Gras doubloons were, and to some extent still are, collectable.
After Rex introduced the first doubloons many other parading organizations followed with their own.
These medallions are usually aluminum, somewhat standard in size, and depict the organization on the obverse with the dated parade theme on the reverse.
This means that new reverses are needed annually.
Some parades use the uncolored aluminum doubloons, but others have some or all of their doubloons anodized with color.
They come both with plain and reeded edges, and a few have tried shapes and sizes that differ from the norm.
In the early years there was a move by most parading "krewes" to have their own doubloons minted, since these doubloons brought out more parade watchers.
After some time, the plastic cup became so popular that many parade goers allowed the doubloons to remain on the ground.
The cup also depicted the parading organization and theme of the year, and had practical uses.
This was also about the time many collectors realized they would never get every doubloons minted, and began to lose interest.
In the last few years the doubloon has regained some of its appeal, and is now becoming more difficult to catch due to competition.
Parading organizations have not yet responded with greater doubloon availability.
The most valuable doubloons are those not intended to be thrown.
These may be one Troy ounce of fine silver, ceramic, or other disks colored with enamel.
They are purchased as keepsakes by the members of the organization, and without connections these are practically impossible to obtain.
A few coin dealers will handle these when they are available, but they are minted in very small quantities making that a rare occurrence for any particular issue.
For additional coin information please go to http://blackspanielgallery.
com and see the coin information and mint links provided as a service of Black Spaniel Gallery.
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