New South Wales, 1813 Holey Dollar

Collectors have a wide range of numismatically important coins to choose from across the Australian series, but none is perhaps as historically significant as the New South Wales Holey Dollar of 1813. Struck out of necessity during the early days of the colony, the coin—as well as its smaller counterpart the Dump—represents the earliest known attempts at currency manufacture on the Australian continent. Today, international numismatists, historians, and collectors of Australiana rank the Holey Dollar as one of the world’s most important silver coins; and being known by only a few hundred examples, it is also Australia’s most valuable. Having been minted from essentially home-made dies out of mostly worn Spanish Empire coins, high-grade Holey Dollars are rare. Where the host coin is worn, as is often the case, the connoisseur should seek an example with well-struck and visible counterstamps, ideally with all legends legible. Additionally, as the coins were hand-punched, the discerning collector should look for coins that are free from dishing and other abnormalities associated with being crudely struck. The coin photographed above is one of the finest Holey Dollars we’ve handed. While the host coin, a 1789 Mexican eight reales, is worn but problem-free, the countermarks were boldly and effectively executed. Indeed, the parts of the host coin beneath the countermarks are completely obliterated; the fleur-de-lis is raised, the wreath is sharp; every letter in “New South Wales” is clear and struck with precision. The only weakness, mentioned for accuracy, is about the date, where the strike is a little shallow. Overall, the coin looks the part and is graded by PCGS as VG08 with Very Fine countermarks, as noted on the PCGS certificate. Ex Gerald Holt Collection, ex Spink Australia Sale 14, November 1984, and a keystone coin destined to take its rightful place in an important Australian or international collection.