I decided to slab this token since it had an interesting design. I haven't seen any like it for sale. Does anyone know anything about this in terms of rarity or worth? Has anyone seen this type of specimen before? Thank you.
I live in Jefferson parish. These have been around for years now. They are similar to Mardi Gras doubloons made for parade participants and was likely made to be worn as a necklace for a young lady in the contest as she rode a convertible in a metairie parade. Most of these were designed by BKA (Blane Kern Artists) though I don't see any designers initials on this one. I would think that they would have a modest value here locally, but why anybody would have one graded is beyond me. It's worth a dollar or two at our local shows.
That's some fascinating information. Thank you for that. So your best guess is one can purchase a vintage token like this from 1968 and it would only sell for a buck or two down in the Big Easy today?
They are just pretty common down here. There is a running joke that the all of the houses down here are sinking because there are so many beads and doubloons in our attics. My father is a huge Mardi Gras doubloon collector and has been collecting them since they started throwing them in 1962. I would estimate that he has over a hundred thousand pieces.
100,000 pieces?! No wonder the houses are sinking! Your father must really be into it. If you would be so kind, might you show this posting to your father. I'm sure he would give the best answer. It would be something if he didn't have this specimen or had never seen it. Thanks!
Well I sold this piece, got $86.91 for it on Ebay. Still though, haven't spotted another like it and have no idea what it's worth. If anyone sees another like it somewhere please forward the link! Thank you.
I'm shocked. They sell for pennies around here. I suppose you now know the value since it has an auction record. I think I'm going to make a bulk submission to NGC and start a new business.
Also, I forgot to mention it before, but a friend of mine writes the doubloon value guide (and owns the only active Mardi Gras doubloon shop - kind of shadey to me) but he said that a reasonable estimate of mintage would be somewhere in the 900 - 1,000 range. His value was $6-10. Sounds like you did well, congrats.
Kirkuleez, could you let me know what the name of his shop is and the name of the value guide? I have value guides from back in the 70's when I was a kid catching doubloons but was curious to get more up to date info.
I don't remember offhand, it's been years since I've been over there. It is on power blvd between veterans and west Metairie. I'll try to get the actual details to you though. I also realized that Chris's coins and jewelry also has a pretty good doubloon stock. It is on west esplanade near causeway. I want to say that they also carry price guides.
Thank you and your friend for that information. I'm glad to learn of this. Honestly I had no idea of the value. I just played around and made an interesting price because I had no clue what it was worth. I rearranged the year 1968 to make the price of $86.91. Here is the Ebay ad: 16127287071. Thank you for the congratulations regarding this. Perhaps my good ad helped sell it too?
I would love to get this doubloon value guide from your friend too. I have other doubloons I'd like to get an idea of the rarity and approximate price for. PM me the details if you would be so kind enough please.
