THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Bank of Guyana on Friday launched two historical coins to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Slave Rebellion and the 175th anniversary of Indian Immigration to Guyana.

The 1763 and the 1838 commemorative coins were designed by Adrian Juman and Courtney Douglas respectively and will be available at a cost of $2,000 at the Bank of Guyana and other commercial banks.

Adrian Juman is no stranger to the international scene, having won third place in the Coral Design Contest (2011). Dr. Anthony also commended the BoG for its continuous support of similar ventures. According to him, that institution has supported the Culture Ministry on numerous occasions. The minister further mentioned that there would be lots of activities staged throughout the year to commemorate historic events.

Courtney Douglas, a former student of the Burrowes School of Art, disclosed that this was “the first major event” in which he had participated; and that during his tenure at the art school, he had been actively involved in numerous small competitions.
Speaking at the launch at the Bank of Guyana Roof Garden, Avenue of the Republic, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds acknowledged the importance of the coins which will assist in preserving Guyana’s rich history.
February this year marked 250 years since the Berbice Slave Rebellion while May marked 175 years since the first East Indian indentured immigrants landed here. “It is fit and proper that we should mark this year these two important events,” Hinds said.

He noted that the Berbice Slave Rebellion provided an example of what has been done in terms of development. “How do we see that history and what should we make of that history? In some ways some of our circumstances are determined by the experiences of our ancestors”, the Prime Minister pointed out as he reflected on the two events.
Hinds said it is important to mark these events and that the people should be reminded of the challenges of our ancestors and be the best they can be.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh reiterated that the occasion can be viewed from several perspectives, each of which carry significant importance of Guyana’s history and therefore, those who struggled and gave their lives, those who demonstrated and contributed to our achievements, their sacrifices must always be celebrated and saluted.
“The coins commemorate two important events in our country’s history both of which goes to the very core of the making of our nation and identity as Guyanese and speaks of our shared history and common struggle,” Minister Singh said.

Dr Singh said that very often persons take for granted the multicultural history of the Guyanese people, who share a diverse background, values, objectives and a common cause.
Every Guyanese, he said, has contributed to the very strong and unique national identity. This he said is the result of phenomenal sacrifice to sustain the freedom that Guyanese today enjoy. On this occasion, Singh said that it is important that we capture the rich culture and philosophic and numismatic history of Guyana.
There are a collection of coins that were issued by BOG which relates to Guyana’s National heroes, and flora and fauna among others. He urged persons to explore Guyana’s rich history through the wide collection of coins.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said his Ministry is indeed very pleased to collaborate with the bank of Guyana to launch these commemorative coins.
In 2007 and 2008 coins to commemorate the Guyana National Stadium and CARIFEST X were established respectively. Dr Anthony disclosed that the Ministry will be looking at commemorating a coin for Guyana’s 50th independence in 2016.
Several activities were also held to commemorate the very significant Berbice Slave Rebellion and the Indian immigration. Anthony added that the coins are a good reminder of the resistance that our ancestors put up.
He expressed gratitude to all the persons who contributed to making the coins available, especially the artist.
Deputy Govenor of the Bank of Guyana, Gobind Ganga stated that the coins were printed by the mint of Norway. And are legal tenders but they are in limited circulation.
The Berbice Slave Rebellion was the first major revolution in the territory of British Guiana which occurred on February 23, 1763. The anger and frustration of the slaves from the treatment they received at the hands of the planters caused the slaves of Plantation Magdalenenburg to take up arms against their Dutch masters.
Each year on May 5 activities are planned and executed in remembrance of the East Indian immigrants who came in 1838 to work on the sugar plantation.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, representatives of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) and the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) were also present, among other dignitaries.