Coinage of Barbados

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Map of the Caribbean.

From Wikipedia:

Barbados is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the other West Indies Islands. Barbados is the easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles. It is 34 kilometres (21 miles) long and up to 23 km (14 miles) wide, covering an area of 439 km2 (169 sq miles. It lies about 168 km (104 miles) east of both the countries of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; 180 km (110 miles) south-east of Martinique and 400 km (250 miles) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago.

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Map of Barbados.

From Wikipedia:

Barbados is flat in comparison to its island neighbours to the west, the Windward Islands. The island rises gently to the central highland region known as Scotland District. The highest point is Mount Hillaby, which is 340 metres (1120 ft) above sea level.

In the parish of Saint Michael lies Barbados's capital and main city, Bridgetown, containing one third of the country's population.

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Bridgetown, Barbados.

From Wikipedia:

Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region next to North America and north of South America. It is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands and has a population of around 282,000. Its capital and largest city is Bridgetown.

Inhabited by Kalinago people since the 13th century, and prior to that by other Indigenous peoples, Spanish navigators claimed Barbados for the Crown of Castile in the late 15th century. It first appeared on a Spanish map in 1511. The Portuguese Empire claimed the island between 1532 and 1536, but abandoned it in 1620. An English ship, the Olive Blossom, arrived in Barbados on 14 May 1625. Its men took possession of the island in the name of King James I.

In 1627 the first permanent settlers arrived from England, and Barbados became an English and later British colony. During this period the colony operated on a plantation economy, relying on the labour of African slaves who worked on the island's plantations. Slavery continued until it was phased out through most of the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

On 30 November 1966 Barbados became independent from the UK. It assumed the status of a Commonwealth realm, retaining Elizabeth II as the Queen of Barbados. On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth, replacing its monarchy with a ceremonial president.

Barbados's population is predominantly of African ancestry. While it is technically an Atlantic island, Barbados is closely associated with the Caribbean and is ranked as one of its leading tourist destinations.

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Coat of arms of Barbados.

The shield of arms features a bearded fig tree (Ficus citrifolia).

Above it are two red Pride of Barbados flowers (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).


The shield is supported by a dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and a pelican.

The crest shows the arm of a Barbadian, whose hand is grasping two sugar canes.

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Flag of Barbados.

From Wikipedia:

The flag consists of a triband of two bands of ultramarine. They are said to stand for the ocean surrounding the country and the sky. However, some sources claim that both blue stripes represent the ocean. The blue stripes are separated by a golden middle band, which represents the sand.

A black trident head, commonly called the broken trident, is centred in the golden band. The fact that the staff is missing is significant. The trident symbol was taken from the old colonial badge of Barbados, where the trident of Poseidon was shown with Britannia holding it. The broken lower part symbolises a symbolic break from its status as a colony. The three points of the trident represent the three principles of democracy: government of the people, government for the people, and government by the people.

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Colonial badge of Barbados.

Here you see the old colonial badge of Barbados.

Britannia is holding a trident.


The modern coat of arms features a broken trident.

It symbolises the country's break with Britain.

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THE BARBADIAN DOLLAR

From 1949 colonial Barbados had used the British West Indies dollar.

In 1965 that was superseded by the East Caribbean dollar.


Barbados became independent from the UK on 30 November 1966.

The Central Bank of Barbados was founded in May 1972.


The Barbadian dollar replaced the East Caribbean dollar at par in 1973.

Currently it is fixed to the US dollar, at 2 to 1 in favour of the US dollar.

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THE COINAGE OF MODERN BARBADOS

Barbados introduced its own national coinage in 1973.

The coins were produced by the Franklin Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint.

The denominations consisted of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents and 1 dollar.


The coins were designed and modelled by English artist and sculptor Philip Nathan.

He was working for the Franklin Mint at the time.

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Obverse of the 1 cent coin.

The common obverse featured the national coat of arms.

Here it is seen on the 1 cent coin.

Queen Elizabeth II was head of state until 2021.

However, her portrait was never used on the coins.


The 1 cent coin was made of bronze.

It weighed 3.11 grams and had a diameter of 19 mm.

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Reverse of the 1 cent coin.

The reverse design features the broken trident from the national flag.

A garland forms the initial B for Barbados.

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Obverse of the 5 cents coin.

The 5 cents coin was made of brass.

It weighed 3.75 grams and had a diameter of 21 mm.

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Reverse of the 5 cents coin.

The reverse design featured South Point Lighthouse.

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South Point Lighthouse.

From Wikipedia:

South Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in the south of Barbados. Its height is 89 ft. It is the oldest lighthouse in Barbados. It was brought to Barbados in 1852, one year after being shown at London's Great Exhibition, and reassembled on the southernmost point of the island. Although still listed as active, the lighthouse is now considered to be more of a national landmark and tourist attraction, with its grounds (but not tower) being made open to the public.

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Obverse of the 10 cents coin.

The 10 cents coin was made of copper-nickel.

It weighed 2.26 grams and had a diameter of 17.78 mm.

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Reverse of the 10 cents coin.

The reverse design featured Bonaparte's gull.

Its scientific name is Chroicocephalus philadelphia.