The Krewe of Rex first introduced Mardi Gras doubloons in 1960.
Mardi Gras doubloons are aluminum, coin-shaped throws bearing a krewe’s name, emblem, and parade theme. They were developed by New Orleans artist and entrepreneur H. Alvin Sharpe, who created metal dies and presented the idea to Darwin Schreiver, captain of Rex.
For the 1960 Mardi Gras season, Rex produced tens of thousands of doubloons using Sharpe’s design. Their light aluminum construction made them safer to throw from parade floats than heavy coins, and the objects quickly became popular souvenirs and collectibles. Other krewes soon issued their own versions, turning doubloons into a major part of parade culture.
A common mix-up is confusing the first doubloons with older Mardi Gras throws such as beads, cups, and medallions. Doubloons are specifically the coin-like aluminum pieces associated with krewe identity and annual themes. Comus, Endymion, and Bacchus are historic krewes, but Rex is credited with the 1960 introduction.