Mardi Gras Tokens - by popular demand

jmlanzaf · June 30, 2026 3:24PM

Since people keep telling me that I MUST post what I buy, here's the most recent US purchase. A few samples of the 3000 Mardi Gras doubloons that I bought.

LukeMarshall · June 30, 2026 5:26PM

Nice bicentennial doubloons, I like the enameled one

jmlanzaf · June 30, 2026 5:28PM

@LukeMarshall said:
Nice bicentennial doubloons, I like the enameled one

Thanks. Most of them have minimal value, but there are some really interesting ones.

291fifth · June 30, 2026 5:30PM

Are throws like those still being used in Mardi Gras parades?

jmlanzaf · June 30, 2026 5:34PM

@291fifth said:
Are throws like those still being used in Mardi Gras parades?

I think so. They still make them. I don't know the beads vs doubloon protocols. Lol.

I just got them in an estate. I find them interesting but not that compelling.

They are in a giant box bevy to my 10 boxes of wooden nickels.

I need to stay away from estates. Lol

U1chicago · June 30, 2026 5:37PM

Some cool designs!

jmlanzaf · June 30, 2026 5:39PM

@U1chicago said:
Some cool designs!

A lot of interesting, colorful enamel. There also bronze medals, odd shapes, high relief.

Exonumia niche.

jmlanzaf · June 30, 2026 5:40PM

LukeMarshall · July 1, 2026 4:44AM

@jmlanzaf said:

@LukeMarshall said:
Nice bicentennial doubloons, I like the enameled one

Thanks. Most of them have minimal value, but there are some really interesting ones.

I agree they are interesting and really have a depth of exonumia to the genre

They are fairly mass produced on Aluminum for public 'throws' , but they gave out bronze and even Silver versions at the balls before the parades.

I picked up this one earlier in the year, it is .999 edge marked so check your horde for heavier doubloons

jmlanzaf · July 1, 2026 4:46AM

@LukeMarshall said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@LukeMarshall said:
Nice bicentennial doubloons, I like the enameled one

Thanks. Most of them have minimal value, but there are some really interesting ones.

I agree they are interesting and really have a depth of exonumia to the genre

They are fairly mass produced on Aluminum for public 'throws' , but they gave out bronze and even Silver versions at the balls before the parades.

I picked up this one earlier in the year, it is .999 edge marked so check your horde for heavier doubloons

Already pulled out the silvers. There were about 25 of them. Weights all over the place, by the way.

COCollector · July 1, 2026 10:23PM

@LukeMarshall said:
...They are fairly mass produced on Aluminum for public 'throws' , but they gave out bronze and even Silver versions at the balls before the parades...

.
I believe the non-aluminum Mardi Gras tokens might be rare. At least, a quick search didn't find any info about the one I have:

Anyone know why "1967" is on one side and "1932" on the other side?

jmlanzaf · July 2, 2026 4:21AM

@COCollector said:

@LukeMarshall said:
...They are fairly mass produced on Aluminum for public 'throws' , but they gave out bronze and even Silver versions at the balls before the parades...

.
I believe the non-aluminum Mardi Gras tokens might be rare. At least, a quick search didn't find any info about the one I have:

Anyone know why "1967" is on one side and "1932" on the other side?

1932 is the year the krewe was founded.

"Rare" probably overstates it, but the aluminum throws are much more common.

jmlanzaf · July 2, 2026 4:25AM

@COCollector said:

@LukeMarshall said:
...They are fairly mass produced on Aluminum for public 'throws' , but they gave out bronze and even Silver versions at the balls before the parades...

.
I believe the non-aluminum Mardi Gras tokens might be rare. At least, a quick search didn't find any info about the one I have:

Anyone know why "1967" is on one side and "1932" on the other side?

Search "1967 Alla Mardi Gras bronze" and you will get hits including a site selling that exact medal for $6.99

mr1931S · July 2, 2026 5:11AM

"Rare" probably overstates it, but the aluminum throws are much more common.

Aye. Aluminum tokens won't damage noggins. Here's my only Mardi Gras token. Issued by the New Orleans Bicentennial Commission. I'm giving this to my beautiful daughter-in-law on July 4...

291fifth · July 2, 2026 6:47AM

Many years back a local dealer had some krewe member sets in lucite holders.

Also look for any signed HAS for H. Alvin Sharpe. He created some/many of the dies for them back in the 1960s /1970s. The dies were hand carved. There are collectors out there who seek H. Alvin Sharpe pieces. Type in his name on the web and find more info.

Zoins · July 3, 2026 9:44AM

Thanks for sharing @jmlanzaf ! These are fun to collect. I like the issuers and themes.

I have a collection of the .999 Fine Silver versions as well as some aluminum ones as well.

jmlanzaf · July 3, 2026 9:54AM

@Zoins said:
Thanks for sharing @jmlanzaf ! These are fun to collect. I like the issuers and themes.

I have a collection of the .999 Fine Silver versions as well as some aluminum ones as well.

They are interesting. This is my wheelhouse: fun, cheap, and interesting.

cladking · July 3, 2026 11:40AM

@291fifth said:
Many years back a local dealer had some krewe member sets in lucite holders.

Also look for any signed HAS for H. Alvin Sharpe. He created some/many of the dies for them back in the 1960s /1970s. The dies were hand carved. There are collectors out there who seek H. Alvin Sharpe pieces. Type in his name on the web and find more info.

A lot of Sharpe's designs are excellent. Some of the Krewes had very artistic emblems.

My favorite doubloons are the advertising and promotional issues. There are lots of beer, fast food, and military tokens including some for items rarely made any longer like soap tokens.

These were also made for parades in other cities but in smaller numbers.

JeffersonFrog · July 3, 2026 6:30PM

@LukeMarshall said:

They are fairly mass produced on Aluminum for public 'throws' , but they gave out bronze and even Silver versions at the balls before the parades.

>
They are cool. No telling what the Krewe was doing in 1979.
>

element159 · July 3, 2026 11:24PM

Any of them with alligators?

asheland · July 4, 2026 12:35AM

Not a token, but somewhat related…

Mardi Gras Tokens - by popular demand

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