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30 Dollars Unusual pair

Issuer Government of Antigua & Barbuda
Year 1981
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Size 152 × 69 mm
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Obverse lettering 30 GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 30 INDEPENDENCE NOVEMBER 1981 Minister of Finance 30 THIRTY DOLLARS 30
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Reverse lettering 30 GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA 30 Portuguese Man-Of-War / Man-Of-War Fish 30 THIRTY DOLLARS 30
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Comments

The $30 denomination exists for one reason: 1981 was the year Antigua and Barbuda achieved independence from Britain, and 30 years of associated statehood since 1967 was the figure being commemorated. The denomination itself has no place in any regular currency system — it was never intended for commerce.

Gold foil issues of this type were produced almost exclusively as collector souvenirs, typically by private mints contracting with newly independent or newly celebrating governments in the Caribbean during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The "unusual pair" designation suggests two foil pieces issued together, though the issuing authority here was the government rather than a central bank, which tells you everything about the instrument's monetary standing.