Catalog
100 Dollars Sailing Ships
| Issuer | Government of Antigua & Barbuda |
|---|---|
| Year | 1981 |
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| Designer(s) | Alan D'Estrehan |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central vignette in bold relief on a 23K gold foil ground presents a dramatic seascape with rolling waves and a rocky coastal scene rendered in fine sculptural detail. The left side bears an oval medallion with the national arms of Antigua and Barbuda, while the right side carries a portrait medallion of Queen Elizabeth II. Denomination numerals "100" occupy scalloped cartouches at all four corners, with ornate floral scroll borders framing the composition, and the issuer and commemorative independence legends occupying the upper register. |
| Reverse lettering | GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA INDEPENDENCE NOVEMBER 1981 MINISTRY OF FINANCE ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS |
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| Comments |
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from Britain on 1 November 1981, and this note was issued to mark exactly that — a commemorative piece rather than a circulating banknote, with no role in everyday commerce. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar remained the practical currency throughout.
The .999 fine silver substrate with 23K gold foil overlay was a production technique gaining traction among small-island commemorative issuers in the early 1980s, often contracted through specialist manufacturers rather than traditional security printers. Alan D'Estrehan's involvement suggests a regional design commission, though documentation on the actual production facility for this specific issue is limited.