1978 1 Oz Gulf Coast Carnival Association Doubloon BU

Rare doubloon available only to organizers within the Krewe.  The GCCA is Mississippi Coast's oldest and most prestigious Carnival organization. It was founded in 1908 and is the organization responsible for conducting the Mardi Gras Parade each year. The theme in 1978 was Neptune's Nightmares.

Obverse: The central image on the obverse is Neptune, King of the Sea, riding on a seahorse.  Surrounding him are images of ocean-related disasters. Included are the images of the Atlantis sinking into the ocean, the Bermuda Triangle, Hurricane Camille, and the sinking of the Titanic.  Each image has descriptive text about the disasters.  The texts read "ATLANTIS SUNK BENEATH OCEAN 1500BC", "BERMUDA TRIANGLE GRAVEYARD OF SHIPS 1978", "HURRICANE CAMILLE BILOXI 1969", and "HMS TITANIC SANK BY ICEBERG 1912".  Two inscriptions are located around the outer rim. The upper inscription reads "NEPTUNE'S NIGHTMARES" while the lower inscription reads "BILOXI MARDI GRAS 1978". The two inscriptions are separated by a star superimposed on a fern on either side.

Reverse: The reverse features the insignia of the GCCA.  The insignia is shaped like the wheel of a ship.  A fishing boat on the bay and a lighthouse are located inside the center circle of the wheel.  The inner ring bears the phrase "BILOXI MISSISSIPPI USA"  while the text along the outside rim reads "GULF COAST CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION INC. 1908". 

Edge: The edge is smooth.  The purity and content of ".999 F.S." are inscribed at the top of the round.