1813 Dump, struck using the very rare C/4 dies

Extremely rare and superior quality C/4 Dump

The industry acknowledges that there are about eight hundred 1813 Dumps available to collectors. Within that collector pool, the Dump appears in four distinctly different styles (or die combinations).

The four styles have been classified by authors Mira and Noble as the type A/1, D/2, E/3 and C/4.

The different styles on the obverse are reflected in the shape of the cross on the crown, the position of this cross in relation to the letters in the legend above it. And in the positioning of the row of jewels (or pearls) in the crown. On the reverse, differences are found in the distances between the words 'FIFTEEN' and 'PENCE' and in the position of the 'T' in 'FIFTEEN' in relation to the 'N' in 'PENCE'.

The rarest of the four dies is the C/4 with only eight known out of the total pool of 800 Dumps.

Six C/4 Dumps have been identified at auction. Add the two examples that are privately held, of which this coin is one, and you have a total of eight coins.

This Dump is graded Good Fine / About Very Fine. (Only one other C/4 Dump exists at a similar quality level.) Take out these two coins and the remaining six examples are all well circulated and aesthetically challenging.

The C/4 dies produced coins that were very crude and the suggestion is that they may have been test pieces presented to Governor Macquarie before production began.

Many of the C/4 Dumps have surface cracks and splits supporting the theory that they were used for trials while the correct striking pressure and planchet temperatures were being worked out. There are also some suggestions that they may have been contemporary forgeries.

Irrespective, the C/4 Dumps are extremely rare and an essential part of the 'Dump' story.

Type C/4 Dump. Obverse Die C.
The dies show extensive re-cutting and poor engraving in both the legend and the crown. The top of the cross points between the 'T & H' of 'SOUTH' in the legend. The crown is enlarged and the 'N' in New and 'S' in 'SOUTH' have been dropped to a lower level. The '3' in '1813' is upright.

Type C/4 Dump. Reverse Die 4.
The upright stroke of 'P' is to the right of the upright stroke of 'F'. The 'T' is well to the left of 'N'. The 'FIFTEEN' and 'PENCE' are 4mm apart.