Antigua & Barbuda Coins

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Discovery and Colonisation
When Europeans first discovered the islands, they were populated by fierce Carib Indians (who had centuries earlier, slaughtered or assimilated the Arawaks who once lived there). The ferocity of the Carib population, as well as inadequate water supplies, dissuaded Europeans from settling them until 1632, when a group of English settlers from nearby St Kitts founded a colony there.

Sugar Industry and Slavery
In 1674, Sir Christopher Codrington founded a sugar plantation in Antigua. This plantation was hugely successful, and many more plantations followed, establishing the sugar industry that dominated the economy of the islands until well into the 20th century. In order to facilitate sugar production, vast numbers of slaves were imported to the islands, living under very brutal conditions in order to provide the cheap labour necessary for this labour-intensive industry.
In 1736, a planned slave rebellion, led by a slave known to history as ‘Prince Klaas’ was thwarted when a ball at which most European settlers of note had been to attend was postponed. It had been planned that those attending the ball would be massacred as the precursor to a general slave uprising intended to drive the Europeans out. However, the plot was discovered when some of the conspirators grew restive following the postponement, leading to the plots discovery and the subsequent brutal execution of Prince Klaas and his fellow ringleaders.
However, when slavery was finally abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833, Antigua and Barbuda was the first British colony to emancipate its slaves, by ignoring the 4-6 year ‘apprenticeship’ prescribed for slaves prior to emancipation a fact commemorated on Emancipation Day on the 1 of August every year.

Royal Navy Base
Antigua contained an important naval base in the Caribbean, known as ‘English Dockyard’. Horatio Nelson, of Trafalgar fame, was once stationed here in the late 1780s enforcing the Navigation Act, which prevented non-British (and particularly American) ships from trading with the Caribbean colonies. Also stationed here and serving under Nelson as a Captain was his friend, Prince William Henry, the future William IV. Nelson was not popular with the locals who suffered from his enforcement of the Navigation. Nelson himself is said to have detested the island and its people, preferring to stay on his ship than sleep ashore, and once said that the Antiguans would have rebelled like the Americans, had it been in their power to do so.

Later History
Antigua and Barbuda’s importance as a naval base and sugar producer declined during the 20 Century. The island remained impoverished until a labour movement developed after the Second World War, led by Vere Bird, which led to improved conditions.
Having long been a virtual monocrop economy, Antigua and Barbuda diversified its economy, and agriculture is no longer the single most important industry. In addition to a light manufacturing sector, tourism and offshore financial services have also become important components in the Antiguan economy.
In 1981, Antigua and Barbuda became an independent Antigua & Barbuda within the Commonwealth, but still recognises the Queen as Head of state.

Antiguan & Barbudan Coins
Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the East Caribbean Currency Zone, and uses the East Caribbean Dollar as its currency. These coins feature a portrait of HM the Queen on the obverse and a picture of a sailing ship on the reverse (highlighting the past importance of these former colonies as merchant and naval bases in the age of sail). Coins are issued in the 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 cents and 1 dollar denominations. Higher denominations are issued in banknote form.

For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from Antigua & Barbuda please see our product index:-
Antiguan & Barbudan Coins

Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from Antigua on our taxfreegold website:-
Antiguan Gold Coins