australia-new-south-wales-1813-conversion-date-original-coin-dated-1783-item

Image: Administration of New South Wales, Australia (Public domain)

DenominationFive Shillings (Holey Dollar), originally a Spanish 8 Reales

Country / EmpireAustralia (New South Wales)

Obverse DesignOuter ring of a Spanish Dollar, stamped 'NEW SOUTH WALES 1813'. Features remnants of the original Spanish Dollar's obverse design, typically a bust of the monarch (e.g., Charles III).

Reverse DesignOuter ring of a Spanish Dollar, stamped 'FIVE SHILLINGS'. Features remnants of the original Spanish Dollar's reverse design, typically the crowned Spanish shield between the Pillars of Hercules.

Historical Context

A 1783 Spanish Dollar (8 Reales) converted in 1813 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in the colony of New South Wales. Stamped in 1813 and circulated from 1814, it was created to address a severe currency shortage and prevent the export of valuable Spanish Dollars from the colony. The center was punched out to create two distinct coins: the Holey Dollar (outer ring, valued at five shillings) and the Dump (inner plug, valued at fifteen pence).

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