1813 NSW Dump Type A1 Good Fine

This 1813 NSW Dump Type A1 Good Fine is a fascinating piece of Australian colonial history. Minted in 1813 by order of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, the Dump and its companion piece, the Holey Dollar, were created to address a critical shortage of currency in the penal colony of New South Wales.

The coin is in Good Fine condition, which means it shows some wear but significant details are still visible. These coins were circulated heavily, so Good Fine is a relatively common grade for 1813 NSW Dumps.

Key Features

• Year: 1813
• Denomination: 15 Pence
• Designer: William Henshall
• Material: Silver (Spanish Dollar re-purposed)
• Diameter: 12.5 mm (approximately)
• Weight: Varies slightly (approximately 2.9 grams)
• Obverse: Depicts a crudely struck image of a crown with the inscription "NEW SOUTH WALES" encircling it.
• Reverse: Shows the denomination "FIFTEEN PENCE" above the letter "H" (for Henshall, the die cutter).
  

Origin and Significance

• Minted in 1813 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie to address a coin shortage in the penal colony of New South Wales.
• The Holey Dollar and Dump are considered the first coins of Australia.
• They are highly sought-after collector's items due to their historical significance and rarity.

Minting Process

• Created from Spanish Silver Dollars due to a lack of metal coin blanks.
• Emancipated convict William Henshall punched a hole in each silver dollar.
• The remaining silver disc (Dump) was counter-stamped with the denomination, date, and colony name.
• The holed portion became the Holey Dollar, counter-stamped with its value and other details.