blister pack 1763

1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion
2013
1763 BERBICE SLAVE REBILLION BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $2000 COIN
250th Anniversary
The 1763 Monument stands
at 10.1 meters (33 feet) high
and is built on a concrete plinth.
It was unveiled on 23 May 1976 to
mark the 10th Anniversary of
Guyana’s Independence.
This monument was sculpted
by Philip Moore A.A
and the plinth was designed by
Albert Rodrigues.
250th Anniversary
1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion
2013
REVERSE
THE 1763 SLAVE REVOLT
The 250th Anniversary of the Berbice Slave Revolt marks a significant
milestone in Guyana's history. The rebellion was the first major revolt in the
colony of Berbice and laid the foundation for future struggles.
On February 23, 1763 enslaved Africans on Plantation Magdalenenburg,
Canjie, Berbice took up arms against their owners because of the harsh
physical treatment and extreme brutality meted out to them in addition to the
inadequacy of food supplies. Cuffy, leader of the revolt decided it was
opportune to take action at that time since the ranks of Governor Van
Hoogenheim's soldiers were depleted due to a pervading illness.
The initial success of the revolt was reversed because of Cuffy's tactic of
engaging in written negotiations with the Governor that allowed for reinforcement of the ranks of the soldiers together with their superior weaponry.
Additionally, there was disunity among the slaves which made it difficult to deal
with the all-round challenges and eventually led to Cuffy committing suicide.
His successor Atta, together with Accara and Accabre, were unsuccessful in
improving the fortune of the revolt which eventually culminated in defeat.
Many of the slaves, including their leader, were captured and sentenced to
death by the Court of Justice.
The 1763 Slave Revolt holds many lessons for Guyanese today and is worthy of
commemoration on its 250th anniversary.
The coin design captures the spirit and important characteristics of the Berbice
Slave Revolt. The concept in the design is intended to portray the dawn of a new
day of freedom and liberty.
The image depicts a slave who is rescued from his owner by Cuffy and other
liberation fighters. This revolt was the prelude to the freedom from bondage and
extreme cruelties that was subsequently won, and is symbolized by the broken
shackles.
Designed by Artist Mr. Adrian Juman pursuant to a National Competition
organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
OBVERSE
Guyana
250th Anniversary
1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion
2013
The Coat of Arms of Guyana consists of an Amerindian head-dress
symbolizing the indigenous people of the country, two diamonds at the
sides of the head-dress representing the mining industry, a helmet
(monarchial insignia), two jaguars holding a pick axe, sugar cane and a
stalk of rice (symbolizing Guyana's sugar and rice industries), a shield
decorated with the National Flower (Victoria Regia Lily), three blue wavy
lines representing the waters of Guyana and the National Bird (Canje
Pheasant). The inscription below the shield is the National Motto “One
People, One Nation, One Destiny”.
Enslaved Toiling
on Sugar Plantation
Free from Forced
Plantation Labour
Harsh Treatment of Enslaved
Chains of Bondage
Severe Flogging of Enslaved
Freedom
Celebrating Our
African Heritage