100 Dollars Sailing Ships

Antigua and Barbuda gained full independence on 1 November 1981, and this note was issued directly in connection with that event — a commemorative piece rather than a circulating instrument. The sailing ship imagery ties explicitly to the island's colonial maritime history and its position in the Eastern Caribbean's traditional schooner trade routes.

The construction is unusual for the format: .999 fine silver substrate printed against 23-karat gold foil, a combination that places it firmly in the numismatic souvenir category rather than any functional currency program. Alan D'Estrehan's design work was produced for commemorative issue rather than the Eastern Caribbean Currency Authority's standard circulation program.