Haitian gourdes have served as the official currency of the small nation since the early 19th century. It has evolved through various forms, including paper notes, base metal, and precious metal coins. Among its historically striking iterations were golden gourdes.
These gold coins embodied a bold vision of imperial identity, monetary independence, and national pride. Their rarity and high gold content have made them some of the most coveted Haitian coins.
A History of the Haitian Gourde
The Haitian gourde has gone through three major phases since its introduction in 1813.
First Gourde (1813–1870)
The first gourdes were released at an exchange rate of 1 gourde for eight livres and five sous. This period featured bronze and silver coins and early gourde banknotes. The first coins issued in this period were silver coins denominated in centimes. While they were first struck in 6, 12, and 25-centime denominations, 50 and 100-centime coins were introduced later, followed by 1, 2, 5, 6 ¼, 10, and 20-centime issues. The first notes were available in 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 25, 48, and 100 gourde face value notes.
Second Gourde (1870–1872)
This iteration of the gourde included only banknotes and was short-lived due to inflation. The second gourde notes were issued in 10 and 20 gourde face values.
Third Gourde (1872–Present)
Revalued at 300 to 1, this phase included renewed coin production and the issue of gold gourdes. The gourde was initially pegged to the French franc and later to the U.S. dollar, but today, it floats freely and is often referred to colloquially in 5-gourde increments as a “Haitian dollar.”
Gold gourdes were introduced as commemorative issues in 1967. Many issues are doubled-dated and honor heroes of the Haitian Revolution, aspects of Haitian culture, and other pivotal Western events like the Bicentennial of the United States. Gold Haitian gourde coins were issued until the early 1980s.
Composition, Design, and Denominations of Gold Gourdes
Composition
The gold purity of Haitian gold gourdes varied, with some coins issued in .900 fineness and others issued in .585 fineness, although all were commemorative pieces not intended for circulation. Gold gourdes were minted in 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, 200, 250, 500, and 1,000 gourde denominations.
Obverse Designs
- Obverse designs depicted portraits honoring Haitian and Native American cultures. Other designs depicted notable historic figures like Christopher Columbus and celebrated thematic elements like human rights, national unity, and the Olympic Games.
- Inscriptions included the name of the nation, as well as the person or thing commemorated, in Latin script.
Reverse Designs
- The Haitian coat of arms showcases cannons, banners, and a palm tree, all symbols of the nation’s military strength and revolutionary roots. The heraldic composition likewise suggests an influence by European aesthetics grounded in Haitian themes.
- Included Latin inscriptions for Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood, the fineness of the coin, its face value, and the date.
Legacy and Collector Interest
Today, golden gourdes are among the rarest Haitian coins known. Their appeal is driven by:
- Low mintage
- Imperial historical significance
- Scarcity in the numismatic market
- Provenance and condition, with pristine examples fetching high prices
Collectors prioritize coins with minimal wear, clear inscriptions, and visible mint marks.
Golden Gourdes stands out as a remarkable chapter in Haiti’s monetary history, art political statement, and part economic artifact.
