The term doubloon (from Spanish doblón, meaning double) refers to a gold coin minted in Spain, Mexico, Peru, or Nueva Granada. The term was first used to describe the golden excelente , either because of its value of two ducats, or because of the double portrait of Ferdinand and Isabella. Later, it referred to a coin worth two escudo d'oro , first minted in 1566, during the reign of Philip II of Spain.

In Spain, doubloons were current up to the Napoleonic Wars. During the reign of Isabella II of Spain, it was neglected in favour of the real (coin) , and finally supplanted by the peseta in 1868. The last Spanish doubloons were minted in 1865. After their independence, the former Spanish colonies Mexico, Peru and Nueva Granada also minted doubloons.

In Europe, the doubloon became the model for several other gold coins, including the French Louis d'or , the Italian doppia , the Swiss duplone , the Northern German pistole , and the Prussian Friedrich d'or .

The term doubloon is also used to refer to the coins thrown by carnival krewes since the tradition was introduced by the New Orleans krewe Rex in 1960.

See also

• Brasher Doubloon
• Mardi Gras Doubloon