<P> One of the many Mardi Gras throws which krewes fling into the crowds, doubloons are large coins, either wood or metal, made in Mardi Gras colors . Artist H. Alvin Sharpe created the modern doubloon for The School of Design (the actual name of the Rex organization). According to the krewe history, in January 1959 Sharpe arrived at the offices of the captain of the krewe with a handful of aluminum discs . Upon entering the office, he threw the doubloons into the captain's face to prove that they would be safe to throw from the floats . Standard krewe doubloons usually portray the Krewe's emblem, name, and founding date on one side, and the theme and year of the parade and ball on the other side . Royalty and members of the court may throw specialty doubloons, such as the special Riding Lieutenant doubloons given out by men on horseback in the Rex parade . In the last decade, krewes have minted doubloons specific to each float . Krewes also mint special doubloons of cloisonné or pure silver for its members . They never throw these from the floats . Original Rex doubloons are valuable, but it is nearly impossible for aficionados to find a certified original doubloon . The School of Design did not begin dating their doubloons until a few years after their introduction . </P> <P> The flambeau ("flahm - bo" meaning flame - torch) carrier originally, before electric lighting, served as a beacon for New Orleans parade goers to better enjoy the spectacle of night parades . The first flambeau carriers were slaves . </P> <P> Today, the flambeaux are a connection to the New Orleans version of Carnival and a valued contribution . Many people view flambeau - carrying as a kind of performance art--a valid assessment given the wild gyrations and flourishes displayed by experienced flambeau carriers in a parade . Many individuals are descended from a long line of carriers . </P> <P> Parades that commonly feature flambeaux include Babylon, Chaos, Le Krewe d'Etat, Druids, Hermes, Krewe of Muses, Krewe of Orpheus, Krewe of Proteus, Saturn, and Sparta . Flambeaux are powered by naphtha, a highly flammable aromatic . </P>

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