1 day ago
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A unique cultural proposal is gaining attention from artistic and national circles: the minting of unique coins for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), inspired by the tenor pan.
At the heart of the idea is Trinidadian-Canadian poet, former public servant, athlete and lifelong steelpan advocate Jesse Peter Andrews, artistically known as the Pan Poet (PP).
For decades, PP has been telling himself and many others internationally about his novel idea, which represents a fusion of culture, creativity and national pride.
He said: “The same way the world was gifted with the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century from T&T – the steelpan (pan) – it deserves another unique gift from T&T – this time, a derivative from the gift itself but in its likeness.”
PP said he thought long and hard to find the most appropriate occasion to design the new gift for and the right time to pitch the idea and submit a proposal to the relevant authorities in pan’s birthplace.
“After long days, sleepless nights and an exorbitant number of trials, errors and consultations, I identified T&T’s golden Republic Day and conceptualised and designed a product called the Tenor Pan Coin.
“Noted as the first-ever: a TT$10 circulating coin for public use and cultural visibility, and a commemorative coin in gold or silver to reflect value, prestige and collectable appeal, produced in limited quantities to commemorate the Republic’s Golden Jubilee this year 2026.”
The coins, which will feature a meticulously embossed surface replicating the pan’s note layout and curvature, and will serve as both currency and cultural artefact, became the brainchild of PP in 1996 through one of his poems, Spirits of Pan Money.
On May 26, PP emailed his proposal via [email protected] to those he was directed to at the Central Bank of T&T, Pan Trinbago, the Office of the Prime Minister of T&T and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development.
“The proposal symbolically elevates the steelpan beyond its role as a musical instrument,” explained PP. “The coin’s presented as a national emblem, state-issued cultural artefact, and a permanent representation of T&T’s contribution to world culture and music. This initiative will honour the birthplace of the steelpan, celebrate national ingenuity, and introduce a meaningful currency that embodies the rhythm and spirit of T&T.”
PP’s rationale and background include the steelpan being the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century; its recognition internationally as a symbol of T&T’s creativity and resilience; its role as a powerful representation of national identity; and its potential to be immortalised in currency.
T&T was said to have felt an immense sense of pride when the 1973-minted 50-cent circulation coin, reflecting oil drums and designed by an Austrian-American, was introduced. However, today, PP is advising:
“Although coinage has previously acknowledged this heritage through imagery, there has never been a coin shaped as the instrument itself. The Tenor Pan Coin is an elevated, sculpted tenor pan obverse design which reflects the authentic 12/12/5 tenor pan note arrangement. Its design seeks to preserve the identity of the instrument while translating it into a form suitable for modern mint production and official national coinage, and its concept establishes a distinctive symbolic relationship between the word Tenor and the ten-dollar denomination of the circulation issue, reinforcing memorability, public recognition, and national branding.
“The upcoming 50th anniversary offers a historic opportunity for the Republic to pioneer such a design, uniting art, culture and monetary heritage in one bold national statement,” PP further advised.
The objectives are to issue both circulating and commemorative editions; produce a coin that replicates the form of the tenor pan; symbolise creativity and cultural pride; promote T&T’s identity as the global home of the steelpan; and integrate the cultural milestone within the nation’s economic and artistic legacy.
“This initiative proposes not merely a commemorative coin, but a piece of living art that embodies the rhythm, innovation, and spirit of T&T. T&T should mint coins that look like a tenor pan. Let our currency carry the rhythm and spirit of the nation,” emphasised PP.
“It will give the world great joy to witness the official unveiling on Republic Day, September 24, 2026.
“The coin is a tribute to the spirit of Pan and the people who shaped it. As T&T continues to celebrate its cultural legacy, my vision offers a compelling reminder that even currency can tell a story.”
Jesse Peter “Pan Poet” Andrews
Born in 1949, Jesse Peter Andrews held stellar leadership portfolios in the local and regional agriculture sector while in T&T and in the safety and correctional system in his current place of residency, Canada.
He is a dual-award winner and successful sportsman, having competed at the World Police and Fire Games across cities worldwide; the Pan American Masters Games in Ohio, where he won double gold; the 2024 Canadian Masters in Quebec, where he achieved top finishes; and the 2025 Games in Alabama, where he won gold in shot put and javelin, as well as silver in the long jump, in the 75–79 category.
In the arts, he has been a mas and pan player in T&T and Canada; established and managed the Ministry of Agriculture T&T steelband Simply Sweet; designed the limited-edition Tenor Pan Watch; and is a spoken-word performer, author and publisher of four collections of pan poetry – Crackshot Pan Poems, Pan Soul Vibration, Bareback Pansticks and Port-of-Pan.
He is also a social media content creator and a devoted family man, married with three children and four grandchildren.
English (US) ·