2018 Antigua & Barbuda 1 oz Gold Rum Runner (Colorized)

The EC8 program will consist of four coins minted in 2018 on behalf of each of the eight Caribbean island members that comprise the ECCB - Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The ECCB is the official issuer of the Eastern Caribbean Dollar - the Currency of the EC8 2018 Coin Program.

Coin Highlights:

• Contains 1 oz of .9999 fine Gold.
• Coin comes in a protective plastic capsule with mint issued box and certificate of authenticity.
• Limited mintage of 500 coins.
• Obverse: Displays an image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with the weight and purity below.
• Reverse: Depicts an 18^th century pirate ship heading out to sea after a pickup of some of the finest rum in the world from Antigua & Barbuda.
• The coins, manufactured and distributed by Scottsdale Mint are legal tender in the territories of the eight members that comprise the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

Protect your coins and capsules from fingerprints by adding these cotton gloves to your order.

Collect a piece of history from each of the beautiful Caribbean Islands. Add this Antigua & Barbuda Rum Runner Colorized Gold Proof to your cart today!

History of Rum Production in Antigua and Barbuda:
Antigua and Barbuda are two Caribbean islands, (Antigua, pronounced "An-tee'-gah" and Barbuda), that form a country that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean destination that is both exotic and luxurious. Here you will find a rich history to explore and some of the world's finest rums. Antigua's history of rum production dates back to the early 1700's when sugar was first introduced to the island and quickly became the main crops produced on its plantations. Sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses or honeys, or sugarcane juice, are the primary ingredients in the production of rum by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then aged in oak barrels, thus aiding in the creation of the Caribbean's world-wide sought after rum.

History of Rum Running in the Caribbean:
Throughout the Caribbean's colonial period, competition for rum sales and for the security that armed ships brought with them was fierce among the English Caribbean planters. The Caribbean island governors supported selling rum to the Royal Navy in hopes of the move helping to keep the pirates of the Caribbean at bay. Pirates often made extra money running rum to heavily taxes colonies in North American and the West Indies. As early as the 16th century, the British government employed "Revenue Cutters," small lightweight single-sail vessels to stop the pirates and smugglers.