The Royal Australian Mint has collaborated with eh Real Casa de la Moneda (Royal Spanish Mint) to create an intriguing products to mark the 200th anniversary of the Holey Dollar and Dump.
The original Holey Dollar and Dump were created in response to a shortage of circulating coinage in the colony in the early 1800’s. After 40,000 Spanish eight reale coins were shipped to Australia in 1812, Governor Lachlan Macquarie had convicted forger William Henshall punch the centers out of each coin and counterstamp them. The outer rings had a value of five shillings and the centers had a value of 15 pence.
The origin of these famous coins makes the collaboration with the Spanish Mint particularly fitting for the special coin set.
Each set includes a reproduction of the obverse design of the eight reale coin produced by the Spanish Mint. This coin features a special “C” privy mark to symbolize the special release. The coin carries a value of 10 euros and is struck in 92.5% silver with a diameter of 40 mm and weight of 27 grams.
The two Australian coins included in the set feature reproductions of the designs of the Holey Dollar and Dump. These coins carry legal tender values of $1 and 25 cents. The $1 coin is struck in 99.9% silver with a diameter of 40 mm and weight of 18.65 grams. The 25 cent coin is struck in 99.9% silver with a diameter of 19 mm and weight of 5.80 grams.
All three coins in the set are struck in proof quality with an indicated mintage of 5,000. Sales are available through the Royal Australian Mint’s eShop as well as through many world coin dealers.
Earlier this year, the Royal Australian Mint collaborated with the Mint of Poland to create a special Kangaroo coin set that seems to have been well received by collectors.
G says
Nice coin set- different. I like it. I noticed there’s a new Lizard Coin set starting from the Perth Mint. Looks cool, too.