Barbados and Barbadian Coins

English Settlement
Englishmen first arrived to form a settlement in 1627. Initially, labour was provided by indentured servants from the British Isles. However, as the sugar cane industry began to take off in the island, African slaves were imported in huge quantities to work in this labour-intensive industry, eventually, they formed the largest proportion of the Barbados population.

English Civil War
The War between Parliament and Crown did not leave Barbados untouched. Although the island was divided between Parliamentarians and Royalists, they declared for the uncrowned Charles II following Charles I’s execution. Parliament blockaded the island in 1650. A Parliamentarian force was sent ashore in October 1651 to take the island, and after a series of skirmishes with the Royalist Barbados Militia, led by Lord Willoughby, the Island surrendered to Parliament in January 1651.

Slavery
As previously mentioned, slavery began to grow in importance with the sugar cane industry as the need for labour increased. Conditions for the slaves were harsh, and the high death rate of the slaves meant that more and more of them were imported every year until 1807, when the slave trade was abolished in the British Empire. Several slave rebellions took place during this period, the last of the major rebellions took place in 1816, led by a slave named Bussa. In 1834, Slavery in Barbados was abolished along with every other British colony.

20th Century
The Sugar Industry remained the most important industry on the island for over 300 years. The plantation classes maintained power by maintaining a stringent property qualification until the 1950s, when the property qualification was relaxed. In 1966, Barbados gained its independence whilst retaining the Queen as Head of State. In the 1990s, the sugar industry was surpassed by the tourist industry as the most important source of income on the island. Today, Barbados is one of the most prosperous Caribbean nations, with an enviable record as one of the least corrupt nations in the world.

Barbadian Coins
During early colonial times, the Spanish Dollar was used throughout the Caribbean as currency and Barbados was no exception.
The Central Bank of Barbados was established in May 1972 by the Government of Barbados to advance the pace of economic development in the country. Prior to 1972, the East Caribbean Currency Authority (ECCA) was the institution responsible for the management of monetary matters for most of the smaller Eastern Caribbean countries, including Barbados.
In 1973, 7 years after independence from Britain, Barbados replaced the East Caribbean Dollar with its own Barabadian Dollar at par. Coins of this currency are struck in 1c, 5c, 10c and 25c denominations, as well as a 7-sided cupro-nickel dollar coin (similar to the British 50p).

For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from Barbados please see our product index:-
Barbadian Coins

Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from Barbados on our taxfreegold website:-
Barbadian Gold Coins