A doubloon is a coin, typically made of aluminum, thrown during parades. They often are emblazoned on both sides, depicting a Krewe’s logo and theme for the year. Doubloons are commonly made with a particular rider’s picture, name, and title on them, thrown by royalty and officers. Some depict a particular float’s theme. Doubloons come in a variety of colors and shapes.

“Cutouts” are metal pieces cut into a shape such as crowns, animals, or objects and also emplazoned with the Krewe’s name or logo and year.

Doubloons are widely collected by Mardi Gras enthusiasts, with collector clubs and stores dedicated to the trade and sale of doubloons. The Crescent City Doubloon Traders Club creates a collectors guide annually, which lists the various doubloons that a Krewe had for each year.

Doubloons came into existence in 1961 when the Krew eof Rex began throwing them. Legend has it that local artist and metalworker H. Alvin Sharp presented the idea to the Captain of Rex. He walked into his office and proposed creating coind that riders could throw. When the captain gave haste out of fear of injuring someone by throwing metal at them. H. Alvin Sharp famously tossed a handful of doubloons to the Captain and eased his concerns.

Some doubloons are also created in various metals such as bronze, ozidized silver, gold, copper, and cloisonne.

Some refer to wooden nickels as wooden doubloons as well.

An alternative to doubloons that has become popular in recent years are poker chips with the same concept (Krewe on one side, theme/rider/float on the opposite).