Obverse: The centre of the coin features the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) logo, surrounded by stylised botanical ornaments. The upper inscription reads “EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK”, while the lower inscriptions indicate the denomination “TWO DOLLARS” and the silver weight and fineness “1 OZ .999 FINE SILVER”.
Reverse: The design depicts a sailing ship known as a “Rum Runner” navigating the sea, with a sailor standing on the shore beside barrels of rum. The detailed composition reflects the history of maritime trade and smuggling in the Caribbean. The upper inscription reads “ANTIGUA & BARBUDA”, while the year “2023” appears below.
About the coin: The 2023 Antigua and Barbuda 2 Dollar silver coin “Rum Runner” belongs to the “Eastern Caribbean 8” (EC8) series, celebrating the history, culture and traditions of the Eastern Caribbean islands.
The term “rum runner” refers to ships and sailors involved in transporting rum, often in defiance of trade restrictions or taxes. This activity became particularly well known in the early 20th century during Prohibition in the United States, when Caribbean maritime routes played an important role in the illegal alcohol trade.
The sailing ship and rum barrels depicted on the reverse evoke a period when maritime commerce was an essential part of the Caribbean islands' economy and everyday life. The theme combines the region's historical heritage with the adventurous world of seafaring.
The coin was struck by Scottsdale Mint in the United States from .999 fine silver. It weighs 1 troy ounce (31.1 g), measures 39 mm in diameter and has a face value of 2 Eastern Caribbean dollars.
With a limited mintage of 25,000 pieces and a distinctive maritime design, this release is an appealing addition to a thematic coin collection.
