The Rum Runner is the first gold issue in the new EC8 (Eastern Caribbean 8) coin program. Issued from the country of Antigua & Barbuda, this coin is the first of eight releases in this historic series featuring low mintages and rich designs.The EC8 program will consist of four coins minted in 2018 on behalf of each of the eight Caribbean island members that comprise the ECCB - Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The ECCB is the official issuer of the Eastern Caribbean Dollar - the Currency of the EC8 2018 Coin Program.Coin Highlights: Limited mintage of 5,000 coins. Contains 1 oz of .9999 fine Gold. Obverse: Displays an image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with the weight and purity below. Reverse: Depicts an 18th century pirate ship heading out to sea after a pickup of some of the finest rum in the world from Antigua & Barbuda. Both obverse and reverse rims feature wavy radial lines making the coins harder to duplicate and provide a measure of security. The coins, manufactured and distributed by Scottsdale Mint are legal tender in the territories of the eight members that comprise the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. History of Rum Production in Antigua and Barbuda:Antigua and Barbuda are two Caribbean islands, (Antigua, pronounced "An-tee'-gah" and Barbuda), that form a country that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean destination that is both exotic and luxurious. Here you will find a rich history to explore and some of the world's finest rums. Antigua's history of rum production dates back to the early 1700's when sugar was first introduced to the island and quickly became the main crops produced on its plantations. Sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses or honeys, or sugarcane juice, are the primary ingredients int he production of rum by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then aged in oak barrels, thus aiding in the creation of the Caribbean's world-wide sought after rum.