Catalog
100 Dollars Sailing Ships
| Issuer | Government of Antigua & Barbuda |
|---|---|
| Year | 1981 |
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| Value | 100 Dollars |
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| Obverse description | Central vignette in bold intaglio relief presents two sailing vessels under full sail on open seas, identified by inscription as Thomas Tew's sloop Amity, rendered in .999 fine silver against a 23K gold foil ground. Ornate floral and latticework pilasters flank the design on both sides, with denomination numerals "100" at each corner in oval and cartouche frames. The issuer legend is inscribed in a raised banner across the top, with "ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS" in a panel along the lower border. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 23K THOMAS TEW'S AMITY ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS |
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| Comments |
Antigua and Barbuda gained full independence from Britain on 1 November 1981, and this note was issued as part of that commemorative moment — a legal tender novelty rather than a circulating banknote. The combination of .999 fine silver substrate with 23K gold foil overlay placed it firmly in the collector issue category from the outset; no one was ever expected to spend it.
Alan D'Estrehan designed several Caribbean commemorative issues during this period. These silver-and-gold format notes were produced in strictly limited quantities, and the precious metal content has always driven secondary market pricing far more than any numismatic premium.