Mardi Gras Tokens

I have one space-themed Mardis Gras token from the late 1960s, celebrating the anniversary of the city, & the construction of the Saturn V moon rockets at Michoud (although the design is actually of a Saturn I). I'd love to have more, if they're out there, but I'm not sure offering you $1 per piece (of different types) would be enough incentive to sort through them.

You probably have the aluminum ones. They are called doubloons. The first ones were made for Rex, the parade on Mardi Gras Day, and tossed to the crowd in 1960. They are usually thrown rom moving floats, and many get slight damage from contact with the street. Those actually grabbed in the air fare better. The colored ones are anodized, and they also exist in Mobile, Alabama and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I believe they may have gone as far west as Lafayette, Louisiana. As for value, not so much. When they were firs out people collected them, and there were doubloon shops, but now fewer parades throw them. They seem to be making a comeback, but were mostly replaced by plastic cups, which are useful and cheaper. Aluminum got too pricey for things tossed to strangers for free.

However, there are collectible, fine silver doubloons, that are sold to members of the krewes (spelled as typed), and not tossed away. Some of those find their way into the market. Most are about an ounce, but there is no standard. One Krewe had two sizes minted in the same year. One member of my coin club has a collection of the good ones, and I asked once. Oh, the oxidized silver are priced between the fine silver and he aluminum doubloons, and he price is closer to the aluminum.

Be careful on ebay. If it is silver in color there are people calling them silver.

Keep one of each, especially any with celebrities who were grand marshals, and the different color varieties, and add them to your collection. If you sell duplicates, selling as los is best, because you may mot make the basic Paypal fee otherwise. Certain parades are collectible, but not many.

There is a shop in New Orleans, the owner is Raphael, and I believe his name is in the name of the shop. Look at his prices as a guide. He has a website. But, he specializes in the silver ones.

Sorry I wrote so much, but it is not a simple anwer.

I have a couple silver ones from the Krewe I ride with. The silver ones are stamped .999 and are much heavier than the aluminum doubloons. That said after the Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010, Drew Brees rode in the Baccus parade and tossed black and gold doubloons with his face on them. I caught about 8 and flipped them on ebay for $50-60 total.

@publius I went through my hundred or so and don't see the one you mentioned. I have a few from the '60s, most are from the '70s and '80s, some '90s and some 2000 and 2001. There are also a few undated. There are some with celebrities (Ron Howard, Kirk Douglas, the Fonz... others). Nothing special... all are aluminum.

I did find one of these - in silver aluminum too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Orleans...047675.l2557

Jim, send me a PM and let me know what you are looking for, I made up some lots that I put up on ebay yesterday, see how I do on those and then see what I do with the rest, but I'm sure I can make up a nice beginner set for your son