IDC Coin and Bullion
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About the 1 oz Barbados Trident Gold Coin
The 1oz Scottsdale Mint Barbados Trident Gold Coin
The Barbados Trident is an annual legal tender bullion coin series struck by Scottsdale Mint in Arizona under agreement with the Central Bank of Barbados. The 1oz gold version contains .9999 fine gold and carries a face value of BSD $5 (Barbados Dollars). The series launched in 2017 and has grown from a niche sovereign bullion programme into an increasingly prominent product, with silver mintages rising from 30,000 in the early years to 100,000 or more in recent production runs.
The broken trident on the reverse is the most recognisable symbol of Barbados, appearing on the national flag, coat of arms, and throughout Barbadian iconography. The shaft is deliberately broken to symbolise the country's independence from British colonial rule in 1966. The three prongs represent the three principles of democracy: government of, for, and by the people. This is not a commercially invented design; it carries genuine national meaning.
For gold buyers, the Trident offers four-nines purity in a sovereign coin at competitive premiums. The gold version is produced in relatively small quantities (approximately 1,000 pieces per year for the 1oz), which keeps it in collector-bullion crossover territory rather than pure mass-market bullion. The arrangement where a small nation contracts a private mint for production is standard in the industry (Perth Mint strikes for Tuvalu, the Bavarian State Mint for Somalia, BH Mayer for Rwanda). The coins carry full legal tender status backed by the Central Bank of Barbados.
Scottsdale Mint Barbados Trident Gold Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Metal | .9999 fine gold (24 karat) |
| Weight | 1 troy oz (31.103 g) |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Face Value | BSD $5 (Barbados Dollars) |
| Finish | Brilliant Uncirculated |
| Mint | Scottsdale Mint, Arizona, USA |
| Issuing Authority | Central Bank of Barbados |
| Mintage (1oz gold) | Approximately 1,000 per year |
Design
The obverse features the Barbados coat of arms: a shield bearing native flora (bearded fig tree and Pride of Barbados flower), flanked by a dolphinfish and pelican, topped with a knight's helmet and an arm grasping the broken trident shaft in a clenched fist. The national motto "Pride and Industry" appears below.
The reverse displays a large trident head as the central motif, with background patterns that change subtly each year. Treatments have varied from water ripples to geometric patterns across the series' annual releases. The 2018 silver edition featured a pineapple privy mark as a nod to Barbados' agricultural heritage.
Other Sizes
| Size | Purity | Face Value | Mintage (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz gold | .9999 | BSD $5 | ~1,000 |
| 1/10 oz gold | .9999 | BSD $2 | ~10,000 |
| 1 oz silver | .999 (pre-2024) / .9999 (2024+) | BSD $1 | 100,000+ |
The silver version's purity was upgraded from .999 to .9999 starting in 2024, matching the gold standard. Standard packaging includes individual plastic flips, tubes of 20, or master boxes of 500 coins.
Barbados Trident Gold Tax Treatment
The Trident is legal tender of Barbados, officially authorised by the Central Bank of Barbados with face values denominated in Barbados Dollars (pegged to USD at approximately 2:1).
United Kingdom
VAT-exempt as investment gold. Gold coins that are legal tender from a recognised issuing authority and of .900+ purity qualify under the UK investment gold rules. The .9999 purity easily meets this threshold. The coin is not UK legal tender, so profits on sale are subject to Capital Gains Tax after the annual allowance of £3,000. For CGT-exempt gold, UK buyers should look to the 1oz Gold Britannia.
United States
No federal sales tax. Most states with precious metals exemptions cover sovereign-issued gold coins. The .9999 purity meets the IRS Section 408(m) requirement for precious metals IRAs. The US is the primary market for this coin, given that Scottsdale Mint is based in Arizona. Capital gains are taxed at the collectibles rate of up to 28%.
European Union
Gold coins meeting the EU investment gold criteria (legal tender, post-1800, .900+ purity, priced within 80% of melt value) are VAT-exempt under Directive 98/80/EC.
Canada
GST/HST exempt for investment-grade gold at 99.5%+ purity. The Barbados Dollar face value does not affect the tax treatment in Canada.
Australia and New Zealand
GST-free in Australia as investment-grade gold. GST-exempt in New Zealand for gold at 99.5%+ purity. Both jurisdictions recognise sovereign-issued coins from foreign governments.
Scottsdale Mint Trident vs Britannia, Maple Leaf, and Kangaroo
The Barbados Trident gold coin competes in the .9999 purity tier against established sovereign bullion programmes with far higher production volumes and broader market recognition.
Against the Gold Britannia
The 1oz Gold Britannia matches at .9999 purity and offers advanced security features (tincture lines, surface animation) that the Trident lacks. The Britannia has a £100 face value, massive dealer networks, and tight bid-ask spreads. In the UK specifically, the Britannia's CGT exemption makes it categorically superior for tax-conscious investors. The Trident's advantage is primarily in the US market, where it offers a competitively priced sovereign coin with an appealing Caribbean design that stands out from the European and North American coins that dominate dealer inventories.
Against the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The 1oz Gold Maple Leaf is the global benchmark for .9999 gold bullion with Bullion DNA security features, worldwide dealer recognition, and the tightest spreads among four-nines coins. The Trident cannot compete on liquidity or brand recognition. Its selling points are the lower premium (in some market conditions), the distinctive design, and the novelty of a Caribbean sovereign coin in a market dominated by Western mints.
Against the Australian Gold Kangaroo
The 1oz Gold Kangaroo shares .9999 purity and annual design changes. Perth Mint's government backing, long track record (since 1986), and strong Asia-Pacific distribution make the Kangaroo a more established product. The Trident is a younger series building market share, with mintage growth suggesting Scottsdale Mint intends to position it as a volume competitor rather than a niche collectible.
1 oz Barbados Trident Gold Coin: frequently asked questions
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The cheapest 1 oz Barbados Trident gold coin tracked here is $4,315.70, about 3.5% over the $4,181.20 gold spot price, from IDC Coin and Bullion. The table above shows all current dealer prices so you can compare at a glance.
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The broken trident is Barbados' national symbol, taken from the country's flag. When Barbados became independent from Britain in 1966, the colonial trident of Britannia was depicted as broken, representing the nation's break from colonial rule. Scottsdale Mint places the trident head as the coin's central reverse motif, with background details that change subtly each year.
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The Barbados Trident is struck by Scottsdale Mint in Arizona, USA, under licence for the government of Barbados. Despite being produced by a private US mint, the coin is genuine legal tender of Barbados, denominated in Barbados dollars, and meets 999.9 fine gold purity. Scottsdale Mint has produced the series annually since 2017.