Krewes on the Mardi Gras floats throw Doubloons

relayer

"Krewes" are the masked people riding on the floats in the parade, and in addition to throwing beads and stuffed animals, they also throw Doubloons to the crowds.

Anybody collect Mardi Gras Doubloons?

Conder101

I've considered it from time to time, picked up a book or two on the subject, but I've never actually made the plunge. Maybe I should forget about the capped bust haf dimes (my other contemplated next endeavor) and just start the doubloons.

cladking

These are a lot of fun to collect.

There are very large numbers of them since there are dozens of krewes and other organizations
which issue them and they usually come in at least three colors and three different compositions.
The aluminum pieces are thrown in the parades and coppers are issued to members and other in-
terested parties. There are often a few silver and even gold doubloons minted.

These are 39mm and can be purchased bulk at pretty low prices if you're lucky. Trading with other
collectors is the easiest way to build a collection cheaply or there are sellers of these for about 25c
per piece.

Some of the designs are excellent and many of the themes have wide appeal. Some of my favorites
are the advertising issues from large and small companies. Some of these are simply unrecognized
rarities because collectors tend to ignore them. Coke, Pepsi, and even soap tokens have been made
for the crowds. There are also numerous issues from the armed forces for recruitment.

These fit snugly in 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 pages.

Incredibly, there are also parades and throws in Mobile, Tampa and elsewhere. A complete collection
would probably comprise upward of 50,000 pieces. One is left to ponder how many millions of these
have been destroyed as a result of hurricane Katrina and if any were made scarce as a result.

mgoodm3

I have a dubloon that I got in fourth grade. My teacher went to Mardi Gras and came back with a bunch of beads and dubloons. If I only knew then what she had to do to get those beads and dubloons......

MadMarty

I have a coffee can full of them, I also have a die for one of them from the 70s.

a039

I was in Vegas minding my business playing video poker at the bar when the gentleman to the right of me gave me some much needed advice on strategy for the game I was playing. He mentioned that he was in the oldest organization that participates in the mardi gras parade. He stated they got up early and hit all the bars for free booze all the way to the parade site. One of the rest stops was a Mortuary where a coffin full of sawdust was thoughtfully left out every year for them to relieve their bloated bladders. He introduced to me Bushmills Irish whiskey and I ended up winning about a hundred bucks! Sorry if too off topic or crude -SoCalBigMark