Summary

Australia New South Wales Sydney
Holey Dollar, 1813 - Five Shillings
Struck from an 8 Real piece from the mint at Mexico dated 1806 with the counterstamp dies combination II/B
Spalding 163

In 1813 Governor Lachlan Macquarie overcame an acute shortage of currency by arranging for the purchase of Spanish silver dollars, having the centres punched out and therein creating two new coins - the 'Holey Dollar' (valued at five shillings) and the 'Dump' (valued at one shilling and three pence). This doubled the number of coins in circulation and increased their total worth by 25 per cent. The work was carried out by William Hanshall, a convict transported for forgery.

Physical Description

A ring shaped silver coin (40 mm diameter) manufactured by cutting a circular 'dump' from the centre of a Mexico mint 8 real piece of 1806 and counterstamping the words NEW SOUTH WALES 1813 around the central hole on one side (the obverse) and the words [FIVE SHI]LLINGS, much worn on the other (the reverse) together with a spray of leaves (with the usual engraver's initial H at the centre worn off). Around the rim of the obverse of the original coin CAROLUS . IIII . DEI . GRATIA . 1806 . (worn) ; the host coin featured a laureate bust of Charles IIII (mostly removed with the central 'dump') facing right. Around the rim of the reverse of the original coin M . 8R . T . H. HISPAN . ET IND . REX . ; and featuring a crowned shield between pillars. Most of the shield has been removed by the holing for the 'dump' and the counterstamping.

Obverse Description

A ring shaped silver coin manufactured by cutting a circular 'dump' from the centre of a Mexico mint 8 real piece of 1806 and counterstamping the words, NEW SOUTH WALES 1813 around the central hole. Around the rim of the host coin, CAROLUS . IIII . DEI . GRATIA . 1806 . ; the host coin featured a laureate bust of Charles IIII facing right, mostly removed by the holing and counterstamping.

Reverse Description

Around the central hole cut in the host coin, [FIVE SHI]LLINGS (much worn) together with a spray of leaves but due to wear, without the usual engraver's initial H. Around the rim of the host coin, M . 8R . T . H. HISPAN . ET IND . REX . and featuring a crowned shield between pillars. Most of the shield has been removed by the holing and counterstamping.

Edge Description

Circle & rectangle pattern

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