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Mardi Gras doubloons were first created by New Orleans artist and entrepreneur H. Alvin Sharpe in 1959. [2] Sharpe had his own metal dies for striking the doubloons from aluminum blanks. He presented a design to Darwin Schreiver Fenner, who was the captain of the Krewe of Rex , the leading Mardi Gras organization of the time. [ 3 ] Size - Doubloons are typically 1 3/4 inches in diameter, but from very early on in the history of Mardi Gras doubloons, variations in size have been used. At first this was a money-saving feature, as it was in an ill-fated attempt in 1979 to reduce the standard size to 1 inch. There are collectors and clubs specializing in Mardi Gras Doubloons. Most of them can be bought for under 25 cents which makes it an inexpensive hobby for kids. They are very colorful and eye-catching, are available on eBay and some coin shows, and can also be collected by date, color, shape, and the krewe, too. Hence, the “Mardi Gras Doubloon” was born. Fenner placed an order for 3,000 of the coins, which would have a bust of Rex on the front and the School of Design’s coat of arms on the reverse. The coins were to be un-dated; if the throw turned out to be a flop, krewe members could throw the rest the following year. The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and is a time-honored expectation for young and old alike. Read more. The blazing torches lighting the way for parade-goers during nighttime Mardi Gras festivities are called flambeaux (French for torch), and they date back to a custom established by the original Mardi Gras Doubloons as Collectibles. Mardi Gras doubloons were first used in 1960, and they rapidly became collectible. The doubloon made its debut with the Rex parade on Mardi Gras Day. Historically, it originated in 1959 because it had to be produced before being used. In Mardi Gras' early days in Louisiana, the differences in the city and rural towns weren't so stark. Between 1700 and 1800s, most celebrations in New Orleans were just rowdy parties, so much so Here’s an introduction to the history behind some of those popular traditions. Krewes. This term for the New Orleans clubs that organize the Mardi Gras festivities was coined by The Mystick Courir de Mardi Gras' medieval European roots. Courir de Mardi Gras is rooted in French medieval history and is comprised of many rituals in order to celebrate Fat Tuesday, which is a holiday that Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans These coins may not have been created for the day of Mardi Gras, but they still honor the history and culture of Mardi Gras, Louisiana and the amazing people who live there. Legends that Live On Through Design. The crazy festivities and rich history of Bourbon Street and the events that take place around Mardi Gras are the stuff of legend. The History of New Orleans Mardi Gras . Although the date of the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is debatable, the 1730 account of one Marc-Antoine Caillot (a young clerk sent to Louisiana by the French Company of the Indies) mentions a celebration with music and dance, mask-wearing and costumes—including cross-dressing. Mardi Gras in New Orleans In the heart of New Orleans, where jazz notes linger and the aroma of delectable treats fills the air, King Cakes stand as symbols of joy, unity, and indulgence. These oval-shaped wonders, adorned in royal hues of purple, green, and gold, carry profound significance, symbolizing justice, growth, prosperity, and wealth The Not-So-Sweet History Behind The Mardi Gras Treat It wouldn't be Mardi Gras without one. By Justine Sterling and Ayana Herndon Published: Feb 25, 2025 1:29 PM EST So I recently purchased a huge collection of Mardi Gras tokens, around 75 Lbs worth, which is at least 10k individual tokens. These are mostly 1970's and 1980's with some 60's and 90's There is no pinpointing the origins of the celebration known today as Carnival or Mardi Gras. Indeed, because its most elemental characteristics — drinking and feasting, dancing and music, masks and costumes — extend back into the mists of time, there’s no tidy way to connect the dots between prehistoric cave paintings of dancing stick-like figures wearing animal masks and the modern pre A single bean or coin was traditionally hidden inside, and whoever found it would be crowned "king" or "queen" for the day, a tradition that carried forward to Mardi Gras celebrations. A Brief History of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” marks the final day before the Christian season of Lent begins. Its origins date back thousands of years, to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility, spring, and abundance. A childhood spent chasing doubloons during Mardi Gras parades for his mother's collection grew into a full-fledged fascination for Rafael Monzon of Crown Point. In this photo from 2006, Monzon
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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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