Both of these doubloons to the untrained eye look identical. The 1960 gold anodized REX that most people would love to own, there were 6000 struck in 1960. The plain aluminum version of the same doubloon 30,000 were made. If you have looked in old or new price guides you will see the hugh price difference and this is why. Both of these are considered low strike amounts. Doubloons back in the sixties were minted 50,000 to 300,000 and this is why they fall to such low amount in collectors guides.

The 1960 REX doubloon is by far the most popular doubloon and also the first year back since doubloons disappeared in the late 1800's.  Since the introduction of the doubloon by REX nearly every carnival krewe has done the same. Because of it's popularity and to pay tribute to the doubloons introduction in 1960, in 1973 over 100,000 of these doubloons were duplicated as far as the image on the  obverse and the back side go. The medal that it is on is the KEY difference. The original douboon has no pitting on the surface and has a niced finished brushed aluminum look. In 1973 over 100,000 were reproduced to pay tribute to the original doubloon and  was distributed to the NORD, " New Orleans RECREATIONAL DIVISION" to be distributed to other recreational centers across the country. It was meant as a tribute to the original doubloon introduced to REX by H. Alvin Sharpe. If you currently have any 15gauge aluminum doubloon gold or plain and you want to know which one you have, this is how you do it. Take another doubloon from any krewe that is the same size and material, the color does not matter. Hold it about 18 inches from the ground and drop them togather on a smooth surface. You will hear the difference. The metal on the fake is a poor quality and will make a FLAT sound. The real one will ring out longer in sound at a higher pitch. The fake also has pitting on the obverse and rear side... This is the BEST WAY to know for sure which one you have. Dont worry it will not damage the coin. The pitting marks I am talking about on the doubloon are more like the tip of a sharpe pencil in size or like a period. It is very faint but they are all over the fakes front and back gold or aluminum.

Hope this was helpful

Jacob J. Foto

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