This is a text-book example of the 1813 Dump.
1. Above average quality
The 1813 Dump circulated widely in the colony, the extreme wear on most Dumps evidence of its extensive use. The average quality Dump is graded at Fine to Good Fine, with this coin three to four grades higher at Very Fine.
2. A coin to enjoy and show around
Struck with the A/1 dies, the crown is classically well-centred. The design details are chunky, strongly three-dimensional ... and by this we are referring to the crown with its fleur-de-lis and pearls, the legend New South Wales, the date 1813 and on the reverse, the value Fifteen Pence.
3. Henshall's claim to fame - the elusive 'H'
William Henshall declared his involvement in the creation of the Dump by inserting an 'H' into some (but not all) of the dies used during its striking. Its presence is highly prized whenever it is appears. This Dump clearly shows the ‘H’ for Henshall between the 'FIFTEEN' and the 'PENCE' on the reverse, just one of the reasons why we say this is a 'textbook' coin.
4. Strong denticles that are rarely seen
The denticles around the edge of the coin are complete, a feature that is seldom seen in even the very best examples. A piece of art without a picture frame is a blank canvas ... and the denticles act like a picture frame to the coin and give it substance.
5. Oblique milling
Notice the oblique milling around the edge. It is fully evident. (The edge milling was used as deterrent against clipping whereby the unscrupulous shaved off slivers of silver, reducing the silver content of the Dump. And making a small profit on the side.)
6, Evidence of the original Spanish Dollar design, an aspect that really counts
While the Holey Dollar clearly shows that it is one coin struck from another, in a less obvious way so too can the Dump. The design detail of the original Spanish Dollar from which this Dump was created is evident on the reverse above the word FIFTEEN. We refer to it as the under-type and it is not always present. Its existence re-affirms the origins of the Dump and is highly prized.
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