Obverse of 1788 Barbados Penny Token

Barbados Penny Token
The first coinage expressly made for Barbados was the penny issued in 1788 by Sir Philip Gibbs, a local plantation owner. Engraved by John Milton, these were probably struck in Birmingham, (England not Alabama), and are tokens not coins, as they had no legal tender status. More pennies and halfpennies were issued dated 1792, retaining the pineapple design, but having Neptune on the other side. The 1788 issue features a large pineapple with the inscription "BARBADOES PENNY 1788", while the other side has a negro's head, almost certainly modelled on one of the African slaves who were imported into Barbados in large numbers to work the sugar plantations. He is shown wearing a crown topped by three plumes. These are likely to represent the Prince of Wales feathers, as the inscription "I SERVE" appears below the head. As this is the motto of the Prince of Wales, from the German "Ich Dien", and also of the Order of the Bath, it appears that the figure may represent the Prince of Wales, perhaps for satyrical reasons. An alternative interpretation is that the motto "I Serve" under the head of a slave may be intended to be humourous, but would currently be considered politically incorrect.
"Barbadoes" is not a mis-spelling, it is the original Portuguese name of the island.

Reverse of Maria Theresa Thaler