Catalogus
| Uitgever | Barbados |
|---|---|
| Jaar | 1718 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
| Waarde | 2 Bits (3⁄40) |
| Valuta | Pound sterling (1627-1970) |
| Samenstelling | Silver (.833) |
| Gewicht | 5.55 g |
| Diameter | |
| Dikte | |
| Vorm | Round |
| Techniek | Countermarked |
| Oriëntatie | |
| Graveur(s) | |
| In omloop tot | |
| Referentie(s) |
| Beschrijving voorzijde | Countermarked Spanish 2 Réales displaying lions and castles. |
|---|---|
| Schrift voorzijde | Latin |
| Opschrift voorzijde | I |
| Beschrijving keerzijde | Spanish 2 Réales displaying coat of arms. |
| Schrift keerzijde | Latin |
| Opschrift keerzijde | |
| Rand | |
| Muntplaats | |
| Oplage |
1718 - - |
| Numisquare-ID | 4286052450 |
| Aanvullende informatie |
Historical Context: The 1718 Barbados 2 Bit Countermark emerged under King George I, amidst acute currency shortage in British West Indies colonies. Barbados, a vital sugar producer, urgently required coinage for trade. Lacking a mint, the island utilized diverse foreign silver, predominantly Spanish-American reales. This '2 Bit' countermark was a crucial government initiative, validating foreign coins for local circulation, assigning a fixed value, and preventing their export, thus stabilizing the colonial economy.
Artistry: The 'artistry' of this countermark is purely functional; no specific engraver is attributed. The punch was a utilitarian tool. Its design typically features a simple numerical '2' or 'II,' often with an